YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Public has positive view of farm sustainability practices

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

It’s good to be trusted.

A new national public opinion poll from the American Farm Bureau Federation says 88 percent of adults trust farmers. That’s a four percent increase since June.

It appears the public recognizes that food supply chain challenges created by COVID-19 were not within the control of farmers and ranchers.

A majority of U.S. adults also have a positive view of the sustainability practices of farmers. There is broad agreement from a majority of adults across demographic groups.

Eighty four percent say environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are both important for farmers, and most adults say both are very important.

More than four in five adults also say feeding the world and farmers passing farms on to future generations are important.

Nealy half correctly ranked agriculture as the smallest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector. That level of understanding can be improved. According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency data, agriculture accounts for 10 percent of total U.S. emissions, far less than the transportation, electricity production, commercial and residential, and industry sectors.

There is more work to be done, but the survey demonstrates that Americans are impressed by advancements in climate-smart farming. That should give Texas farmers and ranchers confidence going forward.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

Media outlets: This content may be used without further permission.