Posted by Richard L. Roberts
Steve Knudson,
a 2005 graduate of Cal Poly, until just recently, worked as the Legislative Assistant for the SLO County Farm Bureau. He will soon be moving to Tulare where he accepted a job as Communications Director for WorldAgricultureExpositionCenter.
In terms of the world, Steve said that after that covered by water, arid lands not useable, etc, only 1/32 is used for agriculture feeding 5.2 billion people. In 2050, projections are for 8.4 billion. Lands in SLOCounty represent about 1/1000%; $653 million, one million acres, and ranks 15th in the state. Wine production is highest. He said that today only 19 cents out of a dollar will go to the farmer, out of which he must pay for overhead, distribution, fertilizer, labor, taxes, etc. This is down from 31 cents just 20 years ago. Fortunately with modern technology and mild climate, farmers produce more per acre than ever before. Over 90% of farms in the US are still owned by individuals or family. For more information,
www.slofarmbureau.com
.
