1) The intense shift from rural to urban to suburban over the last 100-150 years still has our heads spinning 2) More emphasis on grass farming (lawns) that ar

1) The intense shift from rural to urban to suburban over the last 100-150 years still has our heads spinning 2) More emphasis on grass farming (lawns) that are usually so much work that they preclude any actual gardening 3) Longer commutes and working days that push off lower priorities. Work more -> more money -> less time -> buying food is more attractive b/c of the lower marginal value of money and the higher marginal value of time Other countries are either a) poorer and have to grow food to survive or b) rich but have better work-life balance and have more time for things like gardening.