Question

Which of the following statements about farming in the U.S. is TRUE?

A. Over the past decade, the number of small farms (1 to 9 acres) in the U.S. has been stable or increased.
B. Slow food is defined as locally grown food sustainably produced.
C. In community supported agriculture, an entire neighborhood or town purchases and cultivates farmland.
D. All farmers' markets in the U.S. are required by law to accept SNAP benefits for payment.

Answer 1

The statement that is true about farming in the U.S. is:

B. Slow food is defined as locally grown food sustainably produced.

Let's break down each of the statements to understand why this is the case:

A. Over the past decade, the number of small farms (1 to 9 acres) in the U.S. has been stable or increased.

This statement is not entirely accurate. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of small farms in the U.S. has fluctuated over the past decade, but overall, there has been a slight decrease in their numbers. The USDA's 2017 Census of Agriculture reported that there were 2.04 million farms and ranches in the U.S., down 3.2 percent from 2012.

B. Slow food is defined as locally grown food sustainably produced.

This statement is true. The Slow Food movement started in Italy in the late 1980s as a response to fast food and fast life, and it promotes local food and traditional cooking. It advocates for a food system that is "good, clean, and fair," meaning it should taste good, be produced in a way that doesn't harm the environment, animal welfare, or our health, and farmers should receive fair compensation for their work.

C. In community supported agriculture, an entire neighborhood or town purchases and cultivates farmland.

This statement is not entirely accurate. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) typically involves individuals or families purchasing shares from a local farm at the beginning of growing season. In return, they receive regular deliveries of fresh produce throughout the season. While CSAs can involve communities coming together to support local agriculture, it does not necessarily involve an entire neighborhood or town purchasing and cultivating farmland.

D. All farmers' markets in the U.S. are required by law to accept SNAP benefits for payment.

This statement is not true. While many farmers' markets do accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as payment, it is not a legal requirement for all farmers' markets across the U.S.

Answer 2

The true statement about farming in the U.S. is that slow food is locally grown and sustainably produced. Other options incorrectly describe trends in farm sizes, community supported agriculture, and laws regarding SNAP benefits at farmers' markets.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about farming in the U.S. that is TRUE is B. Slow food is defined as locally grown food sustainably produced. The concept of slow food emphasizes local sourcing of ingredients, ethical production methods, and sustainability measures that have a minimal negative impact on the environment. This movement contrasts with fast-food culture by promoting a deeper connection to the food we consume, supporting local farmers, and advocating for food production that is good for consumers, producers, and the planet.

Regarding the other options, A is incorrect as small farms have experienced a decline in numbers over recent years due to economic pressures and land development, as opposed to remaining stable or increasing. Option C is not entirely accurate; while community supported agriculture (CSA) involves consumers supporting a local farm by subscribing to a share of the produce harvested, it does not typically involve the community purchasing and cultivating the farmland collectively. D is misleading because not all farmers' markets are required by law to accept SNAP benefits, as participation in SNAP is voluntary for farmers' markets and not mandatory.