If you want a better farm policy, Obama's your candidate.

[hedgehog]

"A $250,000 limit on subsidy payments to farmers as well as strict environmental rules and enforcement for large livestock operations. He would also put strict limits on the size of operations eligible for assistance in cleaning pollution, "so the largest polluters have to pay for their own environmental cleanup."

_ Creation of new cost-sharing programs to help farmers get certification as organic farmers, and revamping crop insurance programs to avoid penalizing organic producers.


http://www.barackobama.com/2007/10/16/obama_outlines_policies_for_ru.php

[cornermouse]

1. That is,

till he changes his mind, misses the vote, or has more important things to do elsewhere.

Things are getting pretty bad. I don't know who IS the right candidate. Basically, I continue to be thoroughly unimpressed with my choices.

[hedgehog]

2. Sorry to hear that you are so turned off by politics. In case you

don't understand what those phrases mean, in practice -

- they would force factory farms to install proper sewage treatment.

- huge corporate operations would have to pony up the money themselves to build these plants

- farm subsidies would be shifted from large corporations back to family farms

- the Agriculture Department would be instructed to assist farmers to adopt organic methods instead of relying on pesticides and herbicides. Over several years, organic methods produce the same return, the produce actually is more nutritious and the soil layer becomes thicker instead of thinner as with conventional methods.

http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/