The United Nations has declared 2014 as the International Year of the Family Farm. There are over 500 million family farms in the world. In many regions, they are the main producers of the foodstuff consumed every day in meals worldwide.
Family farming is the predominant form of agriculture both in developed and developing countries. Their rural activities are managed and operated by a family and rely predominantly on family labor. Family farms range from smallholders and medium scale farmers, to peasants, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, fisherfolk, pastoralists and many other groups in any region and biome of the world.
The 2014 International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) aims to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.
The goal of the 2014 IYFF is to reposition family farming at the center of agricultural, environmental and social policies in the national agendas by identifying gaps and opportunities to promote a shift towards a more equal and balanced development. The 2014 IYFF will promote broad discussion and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by smallholders and help identify efficient ways to support family farmers.
In Wisconsin, there are approximately 76,032 family-owned farms. In St. Croix County there are approximately 1,600 family farms.
Visit The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for more information on IYFF.
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