Family farming is not unique to small farms in less-developed countries; family-run businesses dominate U.S. agricultural production, accounting for almost 98 percent of U.S. farms. It is the hard-working men and women around the country, growing, harvesting, researching, moving, selling, and preparing the food we eat that form the backbone of our economy. It is the innovation of our scientists and businesses that keep our productivity so high. As we prepare for the World’s Fair next year in Milan, with innovation as a core theme, we should celebrate the contributions and investments that America makes at home and abroad to feeding the world.

On the other hand, investing in agriculture is one of the surest ways to reduce poverty, expand economic