Farming in the United States has changed dramatically over the past century. In 1900, over 40% of the U.S. population lived and worked on farms, but by 2011 that number had dropped to under 2% as farming became more industrialized and efficient. However, the author argues that while fewer people farm, everyone who eats is still connected to agriculture and all eaters have a shared responsibility for the challenges facing farmers today.

1. Our Shared Burden:
Why Eaters Are Farmers
Best Friends
Brian Halweil
Editor, Edible East End
Publisher, Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan

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1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2011
Farmers as a percent of the total U.S. population
Source: Compiled using data from Census of Agriculture, Census of Population, Census of the United States, Historical Census of the United States
Percent of Farmers

10. Courtesy of Lindsay Morris.