Posted on 07/30/2018 3:28:23 PM PDT by Sean_Anthony
America’s farmers don’t want charity. They want a partnership that will endure and a long-term investment that will truly make a difference
I live in farm country. The northwest corner of Iowa is the “reddest” part of the state, having cast massive majority votes for the current president in most of the counties in this region. The economy is dominated by corn, soybeans, ethanol production and massive livestock operations focused on eggs, poultry, pork and beef. To thrive in this part of the state one has to be able to speak “agriculture” with all the boys at the local cafes and diners scattered in the small towns that dot the region. When one does join the locals for coffee, one is not likely to hear too many positive things about the proposed $12 billion “farmer bailout” proposed by the administration. These folks do not want a hand out—they want government out of their lives. If any investment is to be made, then the government ought to focus on the long game—investing in developing human capital to sustain agriculture into the next half century.
There is, however, one little question I have for these Iowa farmers. You folks don't seem so concerned about the federal ethanol mandates? Why isn't that government interference of concern??
How about the government stops forcing ethanol into our gasoline?
Canadian Free Press. Jeeeeez
Canadian Free Press. Jeeeeez
Why, then, have they not thought about investing in the long term by taking some of the bailout money and feeding it to our land grant institutions around the country? These schools could reach into the surrounding rural communities to enhance STEM education, vocational programs and stronger agricultural education programs at the K12 to graduate level.
By the way, I approached my home town Vo-ag program with what I thought was a pretty good educational program and way to pay for it. But they didn’t want to do the easy work I proposed. When I asked them how they were going to pay for it, they said they were going to ask for money from the business in the community. I walked away.
Why, then, have they not thought about investing in the long term by taking some of the bailout money and feeding it to our land grant institutions around the country? These schools could reach into the surrounding rural communities to enhance STEM education, vocational programs and stronger agricultural education programs at the K12 to graduate level.
To thrive in this part of the state one has to be able to speak “agriculture” with all the boys at the local cafes and diners scattered in the small towns that dot the region.
Don’t believe the propaganda ... if Iowa (and Illinois, Indiana, etc.) farmers didn’t want a handout, they would stop raping the land raising corn for ethanol.... a gov’t mandated market = a handout.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.