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The unequal economy that's emerged over the past decade, combined with patchy access to health care in rural areas, have had a severe impact on the people growing America's food. Recent data shows just how much. Farmers are dying by suicide at a higher rate than any other occupational group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The suicide rate in the field of farming, fishing and forestry is 84.5 per 100,000 people -- more than five times that of the population as a whole. That's even as the nation overall has seen an increase in suicide rates over the last 30 years.
Finances are a major reason. Since 2013, farm income has been dropping steadily, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This year, the average farm's income is projected to be 35 percent below its 2013 level. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/america...eting-incomes/
The unequal economy that's emerged over the past decade, combined with patchy access to health care in rural areas, have had a severe impact on the people growing America's food. Recent data shows just how much. Farmers are dying by suicide at a higher rate than any other occupational group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The suicide rate in the field of farming, fishing and forestry is 84.5 per 100,000 people -- more than five times that of the population as a whole. That's even as the nation overall has seen an increase in suicide rates over the last 30 years.
Finances are a major reason. Since 2013, farm income has been dropping steadily, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This year, the average farm's income is projected to be 35 percent below its 2013 level. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/america...eting-incomes/
China raising tariffs on the goods of farmers isn't going to turn this around. Ironically farmers voted for Trump by a huge margin, and he is making their economic situation worse. Perhaps commonsense will prevail in 2020?
China raising tariffs on the goods of farmers isn't going to turn this around. Ironically farmers voted for Trump by a huge margin, and he is making their economic situation worse. Perhaps commonsense will prevail in 2020?
And what is the definition of a "farmer? Does a person (or a couple) who works at a non-ag job, but grows a "cash crop" on weekends, on an inherited family farm qualify? This is a fairly common practice.
The definition of "agricultural employment" is very fluid: on the one hand, it helps to underwrite a generous supply of inexpensive food, and/or the raw material and feedstock to produce it -- but it is also easily manipulated for political purposes.
Last edited by 2nd trick op; 06-27-2018 at 10:38 AM..
The unequal economy that's emerged over the past decade, combined with patchy access to health care in rural areas, have had a severe impact on the people growing America's food. Recent data shows just how much. Farmers are dying by suicide at a higher rate than any other occupational group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The suicide rate in the field of farming, fishing and forestry is 84.5 per 100,000 people -- more than five times that of the population as a whole. That's even as the nation overall has seen an increase in suicide rates over the last 30 years.
Finances are a major reason. Since 2013, farm income has been dropping steadily, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This year, the average farm's income is projected to be 35 percent below its 2013 level. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/america...eting-incomes/
China raising tariffs on the goods of farmers isn't going to turn this around. Ironically farmers voted for Trump by a huge margin, and he is making their economic situation worse. Perhaps commonsense will prevail in 2020?
This has me very concerned. I live in a farming state. We trade a lot with China. On top of the financial insecurity health care and mental health care are a nightmare here. Same day appointments are almost impossible to get. The only mental health clinic in the area only accepts one insurance. Everyone else has to pay cash or fight with their insurance to cover appointments.
China raising tariffs on the goods of farmers isn't going to turn this around. Ironically farmers voted for Trump by a huge margin, and he is making their economic situation worse. Perhaps commonsense will prevail in 2020?
There are too many farmers because we keep giving them subsidies. Take away the subsidies, make the farmers stand on their own and some will need to choose a different occupation. We already have dairy farmers pouring millions of gallons of milk away because Trump took the U.S. out of TPP.
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