Innovation is key to America's breadbasket The holiday season is
a good time to recognize the important contribution of America’s
farmers to our quality of life. Agriculture is a tough business.
Farmers have to cope with production factors outside of their
control, such as weather and geography. Yet according to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, America’s 2 million farms are
the world’s most productive, not only feeding our nation, but
providing crucial grains and foodstuffs to help feed other
people around the world. American farmers grow about 60 percent
of the world’s corn, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)
reports, and 33 percent of the world’s soybeans, according to
the American Soybean Association. The U.S. Department of
Commerce reports that Americans import more manufactured goods
than we export, resulting in a significant trade deficit, but
our balance of trade in agriculture is positive – and by a large
margin. “We’re a very productive country. We are a breadbasket
for the world. Half of ou