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Friday, August 31, 2007
Farm Bill!
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Guest article by Katie Andrews
For those that are not familiar with the Farm Bill, it doesn’t seem like it should be such an important issue to the majority of Americans. Although farmers are important to our country’s economy and to our hard-working, rural roots, many of us don’t see the impacts of the Farm Bill day-to-day—or so we think. Until I became involved with the ONE Campaign, I didn’t think much of it. Now, I think about it on a daily basis along with my fellow members of the Farm Bill Working Group of Ohio which is a coalition of NGOs (Oxfam America, Sojourners, Bread for the World), local faith groups and individuals in Ohio that are working towards reform in the Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill is a very robust piece of legislation. In fact, many people would be surprised that it deals with 14 different subjects including subsidies, food stamps and conservation. Every five years the Farm Bill goes through a reauthorization process so if we don’t take action now we have to wait another five years for the process to start again. During September, the Senate will be discussing the Farm Bill and we know that by building momentum in the blogosphere and throughout Ohio, the Senate will listen and take action for a better Farm Bill.
Although there are some great aspects of the Farm Bill, there are also many concerns. The Food Stamp Program, Rural Development and subsidies are just a few of the major concerns. For instance, many people have known for years that $3/Day in food stamps is not enough to provide healthy meals to those in need. In the case of rural development, a program which is drastically needed—it is also drastically under funded. The Farm Bill should work for more farmers that need the most help in the U.S. The current subsidies program not only benefits a very small portion of farmers (often big corporate farmers) but they also drive down the international price of many crops which forces many farmers around the world to sell their crop for less than it cost to produce it. The U.S. can and should develop alternative ways to support our farmers in ways that will not ruin the livelihood of international farmers trying to provide for their families and community.
You can help. The Farm Bill is not a conservative or liberal issue. It has an impact on everyone and our state should have a voice in the reform process. If you’re a blogger, blog. If you are a teacher, teach. Use your talents and your connections to talk and write about the Farm Bill as much as you can so that others are educated and informed about the Farm Bill. Calling, writing and meeting with Senators Brown and Voinovich is also a great step in making sure our voices are heard in September. Take care and stay active!
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13 Sep 2007 at 06:28 pm | #
Even if we were to write or representatives (there ought to be another word for them as representatives is almost deception.), just what are we supposed to say?
The farm bill is pork for some as few farmers benefit from it. Why are we supporting family farms and gentleman farms?
One might even ask why we support farming in the first place. If we can buy food cheaper from other countries, why not let the farmer change with the times. Most farmers that I know are working some other job anyway. And many can’t get their kids to take up farming. This isn’t a job like weapons manufacturing or clock making, if we need farmers they can be up to snuff quickly.
The farm program, like so many governmental interference with the supply-demand attributes, distorts basic economic models of supply and demand.
Don’t get me wrong, I like farms. One can get away with growing a little weed, the haylofts are great for sex, sheep aren’t bad if you are on the outs with the girl down the lane and there are generally fewer hang ups with basic sex. In fact, I learned how to play pokher in a rural schoolhouse. One can be essentially free and independent and you don’t have as many nosy neighbors or government interference. But it don’t pay much.
I am even considering buying 40 acres but there ain’t no way that I am going to spend $6250 an acre for land that can’t support itself. And that is a current cheap price even though is is distorted because of subsidies.