In 1900, farmer made their own fertilizer, tractors [then horses], etc. With the refinement of the division of labor, work that was done on the farm moved off the farm to the factory.
Also, when I wrote Farming for Profit in a Hungry World back in 1977, I found that for each calorie of food produced, 10 calories of fossil fuel were consumed in the process. Also, I found 30 pounds of soil erosion for each pound of food consumed.
I assume that things have deteriorated since I first did my research.
Yes, I know that some food is exported, however the US is a net food importer today in value terms, I believe.
Jim heartfield cited :
> In 1900 an American farmer fed seven other people. Today his great
> grandson feeds 96. Turn your back on the increased grain yields and
> mechanisation that made that possible if you want, but don't omplain if you
> are one of the 89 in every 96 people who are surplus to
> requirements.
> --
> Jim heartfield
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu