In the last seven years, USDA has worked alongside our nation’s producers to build new markets and opportunities for American-made agricultural products. We’ve done this by expanding trade, removing unfair, unscientific barriers and connecting with new customers and markets abroad.

In response to these efforts, agriculture exports have grown to record high levels. In fact, the past seven years have represented the strongest period in history for American agriculture. Thanks to the hard work of American farmers, ranchers and rural businesses, international sales of U.S. farm and food products totaled $911.4 billion between Fiscal Years 2009 and 2015.

The results of that impact ripple throughout rural communities. The volume and value of agricultural exports support more than 1 million American jobs both on and off the farm each year. In turn, the gains we’ve seen in rural jobs and higher income have enabled more farming families to stay on the farm and have funneled more cash flow into rural economies. And between 2010 and 2015, median farm household income increased by 47 percent due in part to our farmers’ ability to remain competitive in a global market.

As we begin to look back at the success of U.S. agricultural exports since 2009, you can read 10 more reasons why U.S. ag trade has remained consistently positive by visiting our newly launched Chapter VI: http://bit.ly/results-ch6.

Join us throughout the month of June as we continue to explore how American agricultural exports have served as a bright spot for the U.S. economy since 2009 while helping to ensure our ambitious goals of ending poverty and hunger are met. Follow along on usda.gov, on the USDA blog and by using #USDAResults, or catch up on Chapter VI on our Medium site.

Visit http://bit.ly/results-ch6 for 10 reasons why U.S. ag trade has remained consistently positive.