“Family farming is the backbone of agriculture, not only in the United States, but worldwide,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The role family farmers play in addressing hunger, health and food security issues in both the US and around the world, though not always adequately recognised, is significant.”

Family farms hold the responsibility of feeding more than seven billion people, 805 million (one in nine) of which do not have enough food to lead a healthy life. One out of every six children is underweight, and poor nutrition causes nearly half (45 per cent) of deaths in children under five - 3.1 million children each year. Despite these staggering numbers, conditions have dramatically improved in the last two decades, as prevalence of undernourishment has fallen from 18.7 to 11.3 percent globally.

Mr Johnson noted the solutions family farms offer to solving hunger and health issues around the world. Smallholder farmers consistently have healthier soil and larger yields, and those who have diversified their crops have been most successful in increasing consumption of nutrient-dense foods. “Healthier food production leads to a healthier planet,” said Mr Johnson. “Family farms provide a model for the world to diminish major health and hunger issues.”

According to the recent Census of Agriculture, 87 per cent of US farms are owned by families or individuals, and in 2012, there were 2.1 million farms in the US, with an average farm size of 418 acres. But according to that same census, those numbers of farms are falling, down more than four per cent from 2007, while the average farm size has continued to grow.

“NFU has a role to play in ensuring that family farmers remain competitive and productive,” said Mr Johnson. “Farmers Union is continually fighting at the local, state, and national levels to ensure family farmers well-being so that they may continue to play an integral role in eradicating hunger and health issues worldwide.