Agri-Culture & Future Farming

Agriculture is often described as the science, practice, or art of farming. It is the cultivation of the soil for growing crops and rearing animals. We may think of agriculture as a means of sustaining and enhancing human life, but we often give little thought to how, where, why, and by whom this work is done. Many Americans think that small, family farms feed the American (and even global) population. But most of us know very little about the size of farms or the agriculture industry. We know even less about the regulations and subsidies around this work and how they affect people, communities, and the environment. Most Americans have never met a farmer or visited a farm. What do we know about farming communities? What challenges do farmers and farming communities face? And how might farming practices and agriculture affect us all? In this discussion guide you will explore these questions and many more alongside some policy ideas and discuss their consequences and trade-offs in order to gain a greater, broader understanding of policy issues related to agriculture.