DESPITE FALLING NUMBERS, U.S. FARM STILL STRONG

In the global marketplace, the United States has failed in some areas, giving ground to foreign nations that can generate products of greater appeal and with increased efficiency. One area where American strength remains steadfast is agriculture. Despite reports of a diminishing number of farms, America still does it better than anyone.

A recent Department of Agriculture report reflects the continuation of a half-century decline in the number of American farms. Nationwide, there are about 36,000 fewer farms in the United States than there were in 1990. The number of farms stands at about 2.1 million; in 1935, there were about 6.8 million farms.

Why has there been a decline? Clues are available. Increasing mechanization has made agricultural operations more efficient, enabling them to absorb multiple farms into a single unit. Farm families continue a steady migration to urban areas; this factor deals a double whammy in that metropolitan sprawl eliminates some available farm land. In addition, inheritance taxes have been stacked against the handing down of a farm operation from one generation to the next; when the price is too high for a family member to take the farm, the logical step is for a larger operation to step in and keep the land in production. As a result, the average size has increased from 461 acres last year to 467 acres in 1991.

Missouri and Illinois have not escaped the forces that are driving down the number of farms; both states are down about 1,000 farms this year from last. Interestingly, Missouri ranks behind only Texas in the number of farms with 107,000. (Texas has 185,000.) Meanwhile, Illinois is down the list slightly with 82,000.

While fewer farmers may be plying this trade, agriculture is the best it has ever been in this country. It is a critical part of this area's economy and even more meaningful to our collective character. The factors that have led to the reduction of farms have not diminished American farming's resolve and capacity to be the world's greatest.