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FACT OF THE DAY.
Jill Richardson digs into the data and learns that about as much land goes to grow corn for high-fructose corn syrup as goes to grow fruits or vegetables:
The USDA site also says that 4.1% of U.S. corn goes for high fructose corn syrup. That means that since 29.9% of all U.S. cropland harvested was planted in corn in 2007, 1.2% of all U.S. cropland harvested in 2007 went for high fructose corn syrup. That's only slightly less than the 1.5% of U.S. cropland devoted to vegetables or the 1.6% of U.S. cropland devoted to [fruit] orchards.
Says something about our priorities. That comes via a Tom Philpott post running through some data showing that subsidies for high fructose corn syrup have merely a moderate impact on consumption.
COMMENTS (3)
Obama said he supported the ethanol subsidies during the election. Gave a big speech to those farmers in Iowa about it.
Does he still? Or has he changed now that he's in office?
Posted by: e | February 17, 2009 2:46 PM
What percent of farm ground that is used for corn and soy is usable for fruits and vegetables?
I think thats the better question. On my parents farm, which they don't irrigate, we would put gallons of water a day on our tomatoes to make them grow.
I think we would all agree that there is too much production of corn and soy in this country, but this sort of post is just preaching to the choir. I have yet to see any blogger take up a big picture look at how to create a sustainable agricultural model which improves on the current situation.
And by sustainable, I do mean that it pays for itself, and doesn't leave large amounts of people in the middle of the country unemployed. Especially that last part, as I'm from that part of the country, and I've actually grown up with the benefits and problems of our Agribusiness system.
Posted by: lemonadeism | February 17, 2009 3:37 PM
Thank you very much! I really like the blog at the target of this link, and hadn't read it before. Aweseome!
Posted by: sam | February 17, 2009 7:35 PM