Farm Credit, a major lender in the United States, says there
are four trends that will continue this year.
1. A growing connection between consumers and producers.
2. Agriculture careers offer a bright spot in the U.S.
economy.
3. Strong consumer and producer interest in locally grown
food.
4. An increasing number of female farm operators.
It says consumer surveys indicate 72 per cent know little
or nothing about farming and ranching, so there’s a long way to go in improving
connections between farmers and consumers.
It says there are agriculture-industry jobs available
which is welcome at a time of high unemployment. Farm Credit itself is
recruiting 200 employees.
Women are running more farms – 22 per cent more now than
in 1997, and a total of more than one million. Now 14 per cent of U.S. farms
have women as the principal operator.
