What is the difference between farming and agriculture?

Farming is the practical, on-the-ground activity of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising livestock, while agriculture is a much broader, more comprehensive term that encompasses the entire system of producing food, fiber, and other products, including the scientific, economic, and social aspects.

The words "farming" and "agriculture" are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they represent two distinct concepts. Think of it like this: farming is a subset of agriculture. Farming refers to the specific physical activities and processes involved in food production. It is the direct action of a farmer or rancher working the land. 

This includes tasks like tilling the soil, sowing seeds, irrigating fields, applying fertilizer, harvesting crops, and feeding and managing livestock. Farming is the hands-on, operational side of the business. It is focused on the day-to-day work required to get a product from the ground to a basic state of readiness. 

For example, a person who spends their days planting corn and managing a herd of cows is engaged in farming.

Agriculture, on the other hand, is a much larger and more holistic concept. It is the science, art, and business of cultivating plants and livestock. It includes farming, but also includes everything that supports and surrounds farming. This includes things like agricultural research and development, which creates new, more resilient crop varieties. It involves the manufacturing of farm equipment, from tractors to irrigation systems. 

It encompasses the economic side, such as marketing, distribution, and selling agricultural products on a global scale. Agriculture also includes the study of soil science, entomology (the study of insects), and plant pathology (the study of plant diseases) to improve yields and protect crops. Furthermore, it involves government policies and regulations related to food safety, land use, and subsidies. 

When we talk about agribusiness, we are talking about the corporate side of agriculture, which includes large-scale farms, but also seed companies, chemical manufacturers, and food processing giants. A professional in agriculture might be a geneticist developing new crops, an economist studying global food markets, a lobbyist working on agricultural policy, or a scientist researching sustainable farming practices. 

In summary, farming is the manual labor and direct management of the land and animals, while agriculture is the entire industry and system that makes that farming possible, profitable, and sustainable. The distinction is a matter of scope and scale: farming is the activity, while agriculture is the entire domain of knowledge, technology, and business that supports that activity. This difference is key to understanding the modern food system.