Few are more invested in our land and food than America’s corn farmers. Yet agriculture is often unfairly criticized, oversimplifying the practices that made the U.S. the world’s most productive and sustainable. Americans have a right to be concerned if they take the current narrative around corn at face value. But as with many high-profile debates, the truth is often lost in sensationalism.
Most Americans picture farming through the lens of nostalgic Americana. Modern agriculture is a high-tech enterprise driven by data, innovation, and precision tools that go far beyond traditional farming. Behind that image is a powerful economic engine. U.S. agriculture accounts for nearly one-fifth of the national economy, supporting 23 million jobs. It’s not driven by distant corporations, but powered by the 96% of family-owned farms dotted across rural America. These families steward the land with care and a commitment to passing it on to future generations. They feed and fuel not only our country, but many others around the globe, using sustainable tools and practices.
Writing off pesticides blatantly ignores science, and sustainability. It’s time for a more informed conversation.
THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT PESTICIDES, BROUGHT TO YOU BY SCIENCE
The criticism leveled on pesticide usage is archaic. Like any industry, farming undergoes constant modernization. Today’s pesticides are carefully regulated, playing a vital role in sustainable and safe crop production. Without them, crop yields could drop more than 70% due to untreated pests, weeds, and disease.
Modern farming pairs small quantities of pesticides with precision application methods to protect crops, while minimizing environmental impact. In fact, applications are so precise, farmers can use drones to deliver small-scale treatments or equipment that turns on and off spraying only when a weed is detected. Pesticide use goes beyond yields; it’s a key factor in preserving soil health and promoting long-term sustainability.
Farmers strictly follow federal safety guidelines, protecting not only their land but their surrounding communities. The U.S. regulatory framework, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is considered the global gold standard. Every pesticide must undergo rigorous evaluation before approval, and be re-reviewed at least every 15 years.
EPA limits pesticide residues in food to levels at least 100 times lower than those shown to cause harm in safety studies. And according to the World Health Organization, none of the pesticides currently approved for international food trade are “genotoxic,” meaning they do not damage DNA or cause cancer.
Since the 1940s, U.S. agricultural output has tripled while reducing inputs like labor, land, and pesticides. In fact, farmers used an average of 0.7 pounds of herbicides per acre in 2021, less than half the 1.7 pounds used in 1990. Decades of innovation and rigorous oversight have made today’s pesticides safer, more effective, and essential to sustainable farming. Just one example of how modern agriculture is rooted in science, not spin.
THE CASE FOR AMERICA’S FARMERS
Behind the criticisms are generations of American farmers who consistently embrace cutting-edge technology that grows more with less. GPS-guided equipment, a precursor to the technology in today’s driverless vehicles and in use on many farms for more than two decades, ensures precision in planting and harvesting, while conservation tilling preserves soil health and reduces erosion. In addition to GPS-guided equipment, farmers use technology to place fertilizer and pesticides where they are needed with accuracy down to the square inch. These aren’t just advances, they’re commitments to efficiency, sustainability, and the future of farming in America.
At a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, it’s critical we recognize the full story of America’s corn farmers and the tools they use. Corn and modern crop protection practices aren’t threats; they are the product of decades of science and innovation. Instead of condemning what we don’t fully understand, let’s commit to informed conversations about modern agriculture and why the people behind it deserve our respect, not our suspicion.
Becky Langer-Curry leads the National Corn Growers Association’s strategy on seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other key inputs for corn production, working closely with farmers to navigate current and proposed regulations.