Agriculture has existed for approximately 12,000 years and has played an important role in shaping human history. It enabled the development of the United States, and the family farm has become an indelible image of American resilience and self-sufficiency. However, with changes in technology, the global economy, and our understanding of nutritional needs, the field of agriculture has been forced to adjust to meet twenty-first-century demands. Is it necessary that factory farms displace family farms? Should the government play a larger role in regulating technological innovations like GMOs? This volume guides readers to examine these key issues and many others.