"Feed the Planet" captures 21st Century agriculture

George Steinmetz's "Feed the Planet: a Photographic Journey to the World's Food" includes two Clayton County Farms. (Press photo by Caroline Rosacker)
By Caroline Rosacker
American photographer Geroge Steinmetz examined how the world can meet the rapidly expanding challenge of feeding a global population, that is expected to reach 9.7 billion by the year 2050, through his Feed the Planet project
It is estimated that the global food supply will have to increase by 60 percent to meet the rising standard of living in rapidly developing nations.
Clayton County Connection
Steinmetz spent a decade documenting food production in more than 36 countries on six continents, 24 U.S. states and five oceans, including time spent in Clayton County. He toured Gary Kregel's robotic milking operation, and observed Mason Reimer's advanced technology real-time corn crop data. Both farms are featured in the Stienmetz's book and were also included in a CBS morning clip about the project.
Steinmetz's work has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Smithsonian, Time, The New York Times Magazine, GEO, and National Geographic.
His book, Feed the Planet: A Photographic Journey to the World's Food, brings his unique visual perspective, accompanied by accurate information that addresses our deepest need – how to bring nutritious and sustainably produced food to a growing population without destabilizing the Earth's limited resources.
Steinmetz's impressive aerial images capture the massive scale of 21st-century agriculture that has carved 40 percent of the Earth’s surface.
His research indicates some of these challenges can be met with an increase in productivity, but will also require a reduction in food waste, and changes in our own consumption. His hope is to inspire a greater knowledge in how our food is produced, and its enviornmental impact so we can make more informed choices.