It's a fact that resonates deeply within the essence of American agriculture—the family farm has always been its backbone. According to the 2022 ag census, family farms still dominate U.S. agriculture, capturing as much as 95 percent of the market.

But there's a subtle yet concerning trend unfolding. Over the years, we've witnessed a gradual decline in the percentage of family-owned farms. It's a modest decline of one percent since 2017 and a two percent decline since 2012. While these numbers may seem small, they represent a significant shift in the landscape of American agriculture that merits our attention.