Should Corporate Farming be Limited in the United States?: An Economic Perspective

Farming in the United States has changed drastically over the last century. Technology has improved farmers’ ability to produce. Economies of scale available from new technology have led to restructuring in the agricultural industry. Fewer and larger farms are now the norm. As technology improved, corporations began to increase activity in agricultural sectors. Sectors such as livestock are more susceptible to corporate farming. Many Americans are opposed to corporate farming because of the perceived negative effects on rural America. Limiting corporate farming, though, is not a good way to protect rural America. Corporate farming leads to a more efficient industry and more social benefits. This paper identifies the alleged negative effects of corporate farming, why it is occurring, and why it should not be opposed