The Changing Structure of Agriculture and Rural America: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges
Author: Cowan, Tadlock
Date Published: 2001
When agricultural production and related businesses dominated rural economies, policies that strengthened and improved agriculture tended to strengthen and improve the well-being of most of America’s small communities and rural residents. As the strength of this linkage declined over the past century, many have felt that rural policy has been left largely fragmented and unfocused, comprising a patchwork of programs and initiatives rather than a coherent policy. Yet agriculture remains the primary policy framework for Congress’s consideration of rural issues. Significant changes are occurring in the structure of the U.S. agro-food system. These changes are likely to pose important questions about the direction and coherence of current rural policy. Several significant trends in this evolving structure of agriculture are discussed in this report.
Date Published: 2001
When agricultural production and related businesses dominated rural economies, policies that strengthened and improved agriculture tended to strengthen and improve the well-being of most of America’s small communities and rural residents. As the strength of this linkage declined over the past century, many have felt that rural policy has been left largely fragmented and unfocused, comprising a patchwork of programs and initiatives rather than a coherent policy. Yet agriculture remains the primary policy framework for Congress’s consideration of rural issues. Significant changes are occurring in the structure of the U.S. agro-food system. These changes are likely to pose important questions about the direction and coherence of current rural policy. Several significant trends in this evolving structure of agriculture are discussed in this report.
