Solutions

Microbes for the Backbone of America

If small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, then farmers are the backbone of America.

Fresh produce, stewardship of our land and wildlife, conservation of critical biodiversity, and a key ingredient for manufacturing crayons: these are just a snapshot of the essential work that farmers do to make a high quality of life possible for those not only in their local communities but our nation at large.

If small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, then farmers are the backbone of America. According to the American Farm Bureau Foundation, more than 2 million farms dot America’s rural landscape and about 98% of U.S. farms are operated by families — individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations. In 2019, the output of America’s farms contributed $136.1 billion to the US GDP and direct, on-farm employment accounted for 2.6 million jobs.

However, many of the intimidating problems facing humanity also pose a unique burden to our nation’s farmers.

Farmers are particularly vulnerable to the results of climate change

Rising temperatures make it increasingly difficult to effectively water acres of crops. Rising sea levels and more violent weather patterns-like high winds and significant flooding- lead to irreversible seasonal crop loss. Additionally, as regional climates change…