Farm Bill Priorities for a New Democratic Party Majority

[nosmokes]

original-organic consumers association

* Purdue University Economist on New Congress and 2007 Farm Bill
By Keith Good
FarmPolicy.com, Nov. 30, 2006

Web Note: There's still very little discussion in Congress about significant subsidies (a Fair Share would be at 3% of all USDA subsidies and program monies) to help American family farmers make the transition to organic and thereby meet the booming demand for organic food and fiber.

From: Farmpolicy.com
Nov. 30, 2006


Purdue University Economist on New Congress and 2007 Farm Bill

A Purdue University news service article from yesterday ("Economist: Democrat-led Congress likely to 'E's' into ag policy.") indicated that, "A power shift in Congress likely means a new emphasis - with a capital E - in agricultural policy, said Allan Gray, a Purdue University agricultural economist.

"With Democrats winning majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in this month's midterm elections, Gray said he believes Democrats will chart a course that follows what he calls the 'four E's.'

"'There are going to be some shifts in agricultural policy issues with the Democrats assuming power in January,' Gray said. 'I think Democrats will focus on extension, environment, equity and energy.'"

More specifically, the Purdue article noted that, "'Extension' refers to farm subsidy payment provisions. Gray said he believes Democrats will extend the agricultural support payment programs from the 2002 Farm Bill.

"'Some Democrats who are taking over chairmanships in the ag committees have generally been pretty favorable to the commodity title, or the subsidy system, of the 2002 bill,' Gray said. 'I think it is highly likely that they are going to push for an extension of those programs, meaning that direct payments, counter-cyclical payments and marketing loan payments are likely to stay the same.
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complete article here

[Horse with no Name]

1. I'm all for subsidies for family farms

But corporate farms are on their own.

[KSU Wildcat]

2. There are no more small family farms per se.

There may be family farms but they are very large and are titled as family corporations. Even the ones that did not incorporate are very huge.

The subsidy business is huge. I live in Kansas and was an old farm boy in my younger days. I still have a little interest in the old family farm.

For subsidy information go to this web site and do some exploring on your own....http://www.ewg.org/farm/region.php?fips=00000

[MadHound]

3. Actually, against all odds, small family farms are making a comeback nationwide

I have twenty acres that I making over into organic, heirloom orchards. I know people who are growing mushrooms, truck gardens, CSA farms, herbs, on and on, niche markets all. They're quite successful, and while some don't bring in quite enough to live off the profits and be a fulltime farmer, they are making decent money and continuing the tradtion of small family farming.

You can find out more about this if you wish. Pick up a copy of Small Farm Today Magazine<http://www.smallfarmtoday.com/> or better yet, come on over to next year's National Small Farm Conference and Trade Show in Columbia Mo. You will find a wide variety of people, from the Amish to old hippies to just plain folk whose uniting interest is the continuation and prosperity of the traditional small family farm. You can find out more about the show at the above link.

It is a slowly growing, underground movement, one that is now devoted to niche markets and organic foods. I'm raising fruit trees, my neighbor deals in organic beef, the list goes on and on. I suggest that if you've got any interest in farming at all to join up and jump on in. Yes, it is a challenge, farming is probably the riskiest non lethal profession there is. But the reward are fantastic.

[KSU Wildcat]

4. I have 20 acres where I live also...

I raise hay on it just to keep it from growing into weeds. I wouldn't call it a small farm, if anything a hobby farm.

[MadHound]

5. It's amazing what you can do with twenty acres

I've got a serious orchard growing, along with berries and mushrooms back in the woods. It probably will never be more than supplementary income, but still and all, money is money, and if you work your acres right, you can make a decent dollar:shrug: You really should check out the magazine and the farm show I mentioned above, both are always chock full of good ideas.

[murielm99]

6. There are many small

family farms in my part of Northern Illinois, and in eastern Iowa. My husband and I own a couple of them.

Families incorporate their farms for tax purposes, and to protect their incomes. My father and his siblings incorporated their family farm when my grandmother was still living. They wanted to make sure she had a steady income from the farm.

Many small farmers farm their land and their neighbors' land too, to make ends meet. We have someone who does that for us on our 90 acres in Iowa. He was, in fact, my husband's college roommate. The ninety acres is the home farm owned by my husband's grandparents. The guy who farms for us in Iowa takes care of our family cemetery, too. He knows the history of the area so well that he once took us up and down the roads, explaining the history of each farm, who had owned it, and for how long. They looked like family farms to me.

We also have 70 acres in a county south of us. It is not nearly as productive as the Iowa property, but my father-in-law bought it a long time ago, and left it to us.

Family farms still do exist. Usually, they can't make ends meet without outside work, and without the government subsidies. Kansas may be different, but I know how it is around here.

[nosmokes]

8. Not True!

there are more farmers and ranchers in oregon today than there were 20 years ago, almost all organic or bio-intensive producers, and most of the growth is a direct result of the popularity and dedication of the buy buy local movement here. family farms are definitely on the rise, and not just here, and not just hippies on a get back to nature kick. family farmer numbers are growing even in alabama. on a recent visit i was pleasantly surprised to find a number of new farmers and producers using susustainable methods on 400 acres or less. they're having a tough time finding a market, but the few i got to talk with for any amount of time seemed dedicated for the long haul and capitaalized well enough to last for a while, barring years of catastrophe, like drought or flood.

[KSU Wildcat]

9. Not that way in Kansas.

Why should my tax dollars subsidize these small farmers? Why should my tax dollars subsidize any business large or small??

[Vanje]

10. ....bu , but!

I thought you just said there are No small family farms left.
did you forget?
Are you an amnesiac?
Or are you talking out both sides?

That'd be your pattern since your arrival here at DU, a short time ago.

[Jacobin]

7. Will definitely help with the southern strategy thing, too

I know a number of small to medium sized farmers and they will forget the gawd,guns,gays mantra if the dems assure them their subsidies will stay in tact...I guaranfuckingtee it.....They cannot survive without them