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The Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 provided government grants for the research and development of biofuels and biobased products from crops and feedstock (renewable, biological materials that can be used for fuel).
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The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, signed by President George W. Bush, was passed to address water and other environmental issues. Programs included the Conservation Security Program, which created a reward system for eco-conscientious farmers, and it increases funding for conservation programs by 80% over 10 years.
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Based on the growing popularity of organically-grown foods, the USDA revealed a new national organic standard for farmers and consumers. Although not an indication of nutritional value or food safety, the organic certification seal is a marketing tool that provides information to consumers that certain requirements have been met in the production of the food source.
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Farmers' markets, a common area or facility where farmers and growers are able to sell fresh vegetables, fruits, and other commodities directly to consumers, began trending in the 1990s, but surged in 2000. These markets allowed small farmers to connect directly with the public and increase their profit margin or supplement their income, along with providing consumers the opportunity to purchase fresh high-quality produce, not always readily available in supermarkets.
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In 2000 there was a major drought that caused a agricultural disaster in Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, and New Mexico. So there was a low- interest emergency relief loans available to farmers and ranchers. Scientist have said this has been one of the worst droughts in over 800 years.
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In march 2001, an economic recession resulted in the Y2K scare, collapse of the dot bubble, failing businesses, and 9-11 attacks, New York stock closed for four days. This was the first time since the Great depression.
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In 2005, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) began demonstrating how strategic use of irrigation water can reduce water use and boost its quality. In the seventeen neighboring states in the West, approximately 75% of the value of various crops are grown on 25% of irrigated land. Improved technologies allow farmers to produce greater yields and adapt to the effects of climate change.
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In July 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an ARS-developed cotton wound dressing for use by patient with chronic wounds. This discovery will benefit cotton farmers by increasing the volume of U.S. value-added cotton products. Created by J. Vincent Edwards, a research chemist in New Orleans, the cotton bandage has the capacity to collect excess proteases, destructive enzymes in chronic wounds.
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The Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 was a farm bill that was passed by Congress on June 18, 2008 on an override of a presidential veto, the bill was an effort to continue government subsidies on agricultural production, research, and other issues.
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Technology in all of its forms has played a key role in agriculture for centuries. Recall the list of technologies from the “Seeds of Change” including the flail, sickle, cast-iron plow, and the cotton gin. Today, technology continues to play a key role in the industry of agriculture and the daily lives of farmers.
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“The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.
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In the 2000s the average total U.S. population: 287,600,000; farm population; farmers 1.5% of labor force; number of farms 2,128,982; average acres 441; irrigated acres: 55,311,236 (2002); farm population: 3,281,534; number of farms 2,204,792; average acres: 418; irrigated acres 56,599,305 (2007). One farmer supplies food and fiber for 139 people.
