10. The food distribution chain disrupted the American small farm
According to Vox.com, nearly two-thirds of all American farm production comes from just 4% of all farms. The large farms which dominate American farm production are contracted with or controlled by big agribusinesses. Small American farms, family-owned and operated, which operate profitably solely by farming began vanishing in the second half of the 20th century. About half of all American farms realize $10,000 or less in the sale of farm products annually. As the 20th century waned many turned to other sources of income to retain their farms.
Small family farms thrived until the 1950s, and have been in decline ever since. One reason for so many vanishing was the pressure on land during the expansion into the suburbs following World War II, which continues in the 21st century. Although exceptions certainly emerged, with some small farmers specializing in organic products and other techniques of the past, the trend of large farms dominating American food production continued to expand through the first decades of the 21st century.