I think we have passed the point of no return and we will have to continue to import foreign food. We have lost much of our farmland to development and most of our farmers to easier, more lucrative professions. My evidence is local and anecdotal but from what I read not any different than the rest of the country. In our county we have gone from over 400 farmers making a living off a farm in the early 70’s to fewer than 50. Actively farmed acreage has gone down over 50%. There is one young college aged kid who wants to farm and then the next youngest farmers in the county are two 35 yr olds. As I said, I don’t think America can meet all the needs of America 24/7/365 anymore.
You are correct. Here in the SW Desert area farmers are being forced out of business because of growing water needs for San Diego... other farmers are selling off their ranches due to the extended drought and water requirements... in the Mid-west it’s now more lucrative to grow corn for ethenol... we need to wake up as a nation in too many areas.