阅读理解。
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan sees an epidemic (流行病) sweeping across
America's farmland. It has little to do with the usual challenges, such as flood, rising fuel prices
and crop-eating insects. The country's farmers are getting older, and there are fewer people standing in
line to take their place. National agricultural census (普查) figures show that the fastest-growing group of
farmers is the part over 65. Merrigan is afraid the average age will be even higher when the 2012 statistics are completed.
Merrigan, a former college professor, is making stops at universities across the country in hopes of
encouraging more students to think about careers in agriculture. Aside from trying to stop the graying of
America's farmers, her work is made tougher by a recent blog posting that put agriculture at No. 1 on a
list of "useless" college degrees. Top federal agriculture officials are talking about the posting, and it has
the attention of agricultural organizations across the country.
"There couldn't be anything that's more incorrect," Merrigan said. "We know that there aren't enough
qualified graduates to fill the jobs that are out there in American agriculture."
In addition, a growing world population that some experts predict will require 70% more food
production by 2050, she said.
"I truly believe we're at a golden age of agriculture. Global demand is at an all-time record
high, and global supplies are at all-time record lows," said Matt Rush, director of the Texas Farm
Bureau. "Production costs are going to be valuable enough that younger people are going to have the
opportunity to be involved in agriculture."
The Department of Agriculture has programs aimed at developing more farmers and at increasing
interest in locally grown food. The National Young Farmers' Coalition has also been pushing for state and
federal policy changes to make it easier for new farmers.
Ryan Best, president of Future Farmers of America, has been living out of a suitcase, traveling
the country and visiting with high school students about careers in agriculture. The 21-year-old Best
hopes his message-that this is a new time in agriculture-will motivate the next generation to turn
around the statistics. "Never before have we had the innovations (创新) in technology which have
led to agriculture in this country being the most efficient it has ever been," he said. "There's really a place
for everybody to fit in."
1. What is the new challenge to American agriculture?
A. Fewer and older farmers.
B. Higher fuel prices.
C. More natural disasters.
D. Lower agricultural output.
2. Why is Merrigan visiting universities across the country?
A. To draw federal agriculture officials' attention.
B. To select qualified agriculture graduates.
C. To clarify a recent blog posting.
D. To talk more students into farming careers.
3. According to Matt Rush, American agriculture will provide opportunities for younger people
because__________..
A. the government will cover production costs
B. global food supplies will be even lower
C. investment in agriculture will be profitable
D. America will increase its food export
4. What do the underlined words "to turn around the statistics" in the last paragraph mean?
A. To re-analyze the result of the national census.
B. To increase agricultural production.
C. To bring down the average age of farmers.
D. To invest more in agriculture.
