US Agriculture Expands World-Leading Volume, Versatility

Although rarely mentioned in the world-domination of America's many economic sectors, U.S. agriculture and its varied components continue to provide for this nation's rapidly expanding population; while also representing a significant aspect of America's assertive export growth.

Even though little more than two percent of the U.S.'s 320 million population is actively involved in agricultural pursuits, 70% of those directly involved in all aspects of farming activity are owned by parent companies, such as corporate giants Cargill, DuPont, and Archer Daniels Midland.

While America's farm product range not only includes wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, plus huge areas of fruit-growing, its sprawling Midwestern wheat fields are among the most productive in the world, while its soybean production rivals that of world-leader Brazil. In fact, as ethanol has become a Congressionally-mandated 10% of every gallon of gasoline, this commits a large volume of U.S. corn production for that purpose.

What makes U.S. agriculture so unique in its breadth and technology is that many global locations throughout the world rely on U.S. farm production for their sustenance. This literally has made the U.S. the world's reliable breadbasket, making sure that there are no major areas or periods of hunger anymore, especially at times of distress.

The assurance that U.S. agriculture will keep pace with a world population reaching nine billion near the end of this century, with 400 million in the U.S. alone, is based on the sprawling potential farm acreage of the U.S., a good portion of which is still unsettled. Agriculture has the additional advantage of not facing the antipathy of government agencies that are more involved in keeping herd on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and respects the revenue generating crops of Iowa corn, and Kansas wheat.

Even California, the most productive of the 50 U.S. states, is deeply involved in developing Pacific ocean-based desalination to maintain its status as a leading provider of fruit and varied animal feed, plus everyday food products for the rest of the nation.

Composer Irving Berlin's celebrated nationally beloved song, "God Bless America," celebrates the inclusion of the only world-leading U.S. population component that feeds itself, and the rest of the world when needed.