The U.S. remains the top exporter of a few commodities, but the competition is getting closer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a report on the competitiveness of U.S. exports, and it shows while we’re still top in some categories, the competition is getting hotter. The report says that export shares …
Education Gaps Between Rural and Urban Communities
The USDA says rural areas are lagging behind when it comes to education. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Formal educational attainment in rural America has grown, but rural areas still lag behind urban areas, according to the USDA. USDA’s Economic Research Service data shows the share of adults ages 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or …
Meat Plants Employed Nearly 31% of U.S. Food Workers in 2021
The latest federal data shows that in 2021, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed 1.7 million people, or more than 1.1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment. Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, food and beverage manufacturing accounted for the largest share of employees, 15.4 percent. USDA’s Economic Research Service Monday announced the data, noting that these employees help …
Price of Chicken Wings Easing in Time for the Big Games
It’s a break for the piggy-bank just in time for the big games. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Retail prices for chicken wings have been trending lower in recent months and in time for national sporting events such as the upcoming Super Bowl and the college basketball championship tournaments. Previously, a combination of limited supplies and strong …
Study Shows Rotational Grazing Adoption Varies by Region
A study sheds light on grazing practices around the nation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Data published Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows rotational grazing adoption varies by region. Rotational grazing is a management practice in which livestock are cycled through multiple fenced grazing areas to manage forage production, forage quality, animal health, and environmental …
Substantial Consolidation in Retail Food Market Since 1990
There’s been substantial consolidation in the retail food market in the last thirty years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. food retail sector experienced substantial consolidation over the last three decades, according to data from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Market concentration, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, is a measure of the extent to which market …
Rural Job Growth Shifting to High-Skill Workers
There’s a shift in rural jobs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers. USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry. According to experts like CALC job placement services, also showing rapid …
Farm Share of U.S. Food Dollar Reached Historic Low in 2021
U.S. farm establishments received 14.5 cents per dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2021—a decrease of 1.0 cent from a revised 15.5 cents in 2020. The figure is the lowest recorded farm share value in nearly three decades, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. The remaining portion of the food dollar—known as the marketing share—covers the costs of getting …
Disability Status Can Affect Food Security Among U.S. Households
What households have a higher rate of food insecurity? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In 2021, households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that in 2021, for U.S. households that included an adult out of the labor force because of …
SNAP Participation Varied Across States from 2019 to 2021
A look at SNAP participation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In fiscal year 2021, USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program served an average of 41.5 million people monthly. USDA’s Economic Research Service Wednesday reported the 2021 figure is an increase of about 5.8 million per month compared with fiscal year 2019. SNAP participation increased nationwide during the COVID-19 …