Role of Agricutlure in Rural Prosperity and Ensuring Environmental Sustainability

The agriculture, fishing and forestry sector accounts for a little over 1% of US GDP and less that 1% of US employment. However, it plays a dominant role in both economic activity and employment in rural America, especially when value added activities (storage, transport, processing and manufacturing of agricultural products) and supporting industries (agricultural inputs and services) are taken into account. As other traditional manufacturing activities are lost to overseas competition, the role of agriculture and its supporting industries for rural prosperity will only expand. The role of agriculture for ensuring environmental sustainability is yet greater. Cropland, pastures and forests occupy more than 75% of US land mass and agricultural production uses more than 80% of the national water resources in any given year.  As a result, the role of agriculture in the supply of ecosystem services (biodiversity conservation, water quality and conservation, carbon sequestration) and environmental sustainability cannot be overstated.  The presentation will discuss the past and future role of agriculture on rural development and environmental sustainability with a special emphasis on the contributions of agricultural innovation and the new mandate for contributions to energy self sufficiency and sustainability.