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As a graduate student working on my PhD in Agriculture I am frequently questioned about food production, food safety and the environment.  I try my best to maintain a balance because agriculture encompasses many other fields like economics, nutrition, engineering, business, basics sciences (chemistry, biology and physics) and ecology.  There is definitely room to improve communication across our complex food chains.  One way to end the duality among opposing viewpoints is to go to the source for answers.

Before we dive into farms, farmers and the decision-making process to bring food to market.  Let us reflect on how Agriculture has propelled us into the 21st century.

Basic economic development theory simply describes the need for society to increase agricultural output to open up new economic opportunities for the population.  When people are fed and food prices are stable, workers can find jobs in manufacturing goods and professional services.  Typically, economic development following an increase in agricultural output model leads to an influx of rural populations to cities.  True, hidden environmental and societal costs are inevitable and the model depends heavily on new technology but, it has worked quite well for countries like the United States.  In 1940, farmers were 18% of the labor force and today farmers are under 3% while at the same time productivity increased by 158%.

Where we are going from today further into the 21st century is both exciting and an important challenge for humanity.  Part of the reason why I steadfastly remain planted in the field (pun intended) is because of the dynamic nature agriculture will take in our future.  By 2050, optimistic global census figures predict a population of 8-9 billion with greater demographics of underfed poor, undernourished people, meat eaters and consumers of high-priced organic and local foods.  The next generation of farms and farmers will be as diverse as the peoples on our planet and require support to drive innovation.

Enter social networking and the age of the consumer.  Innovative food companies like Dole, producer and distributor of tropical fruits like banana and pineapple, decided to bring the farm to us.  Lately, their produce stickers show a Farm ID of the region where the fruits was grown.  Consumers can visit Farm 402 in Peru via a website.  This is an excellent step in the right direction to begin connecting people with producers and ultimately the consumer with the food product.  The social network garners trust and at the same time refines the marketplace.  I took the liberty to tell Dole what I thought using Twitter.

I try my best to answer each question asked of me with a conscious response.  There is no one expert of our complex food chain but, we can all seek out facts based on science and dispel myths.  Our food systems will continue to change into the next decade of the 21st century and its our responsibility to demand the technology to connect with the people and places of agriculture.  If you have a question of agriculture, please ask and we will find an answer.