LogFAQs > #966064830

Tyranthraxus posted...

People here seriously believe farmers are still like they used to be in the 18th century and not giant factories run by the top 1% like Monsanto and ConAgra and that most of the "small farmers" are just living on leased land owned by those companies.

Excluding Hawaii and Alaska, about 40% of total farm land in the country is rented/leased, the rest is owner-operated farms. About 50/50 for crop farms specifically (though a majority is leased) and 25/75 pastures (a majority being owned).

The increase in commercialized farms is often blamed on FDRs New Deal and later agricultural bills that (accidentally) created a path for the rich to get richer in the farming industry, and thats a major factor in why farmers dont often vote for Democrats.