Tim Walz predicts a 'bloody battle' when Congress takes up the new farm bill

Minnesota Public Radio ^ | February 21, 2007 | by Mark Steil, Minnesota Public Radio

[Son House]

Minnesota 1st District Representative Tim Walz predicts a 'bloody battle' when Congress takes up the new farm bill later this year. Southern Minnesota farmers told Walz they want changes made in the legislation to help small farmers. The meeting in Worthington is one of several Walz will hold. It's a discussion which touches just about anyone who owns farmland anywhere in the U.S.

Worthington, Minn. — Federal farm programs have become a big issue because they pay out so much money; more than $18 billion last year alone.

Just who gets that money will be a big part of this year's debate.

The largest farm subsidy payments generally go to rice and cotton farmers in the south. In 2005, an Arkansas rice company collected almost $16 million. In Minnesota, the top farm received just under $2 million.

.........

Rep. Tim WalzU.S. Representative Tim Walz told the group the debate in Congress will be vigorous. He says one problem he sees in getting farm programs funded as he wants is the ongoing budget deficit. He says that could limit agricultural spending.

"The budget situation is one that is very, very difficult. I'm a person that believes especially in this farm bill, this farm bill is far more about than agriculture. This is about the economic and the social well-being of rural America," says Walz.

One thing Walz has in his favor is that he belongs to the majority party in Congress. The Democrats control the House and Senate committees which will write the next farm bill.

Walz says he'll work to see that the thoughts and opinions he's heard at his farm bill meetings find their way into that legislation.

[Son House]

This is the Democrat hero who was said to lead the anti-war vote. Walz is already had to wait 6 weeks for Pelosi to pass her 'first 100 hours', before he could vote against the Presidents' winning strategy, and Walz is already moved on to the Farm bill 'bloody battle'.

Sorry dude, Retired Sargent Major, I think you need to stay focused on the War till every last Troop comes home, including the ones you have served with, they are in a real 'bloody battle'.

[nascarnation]

changes made in the legislation to help small farmers

here in Indiana I don't think there are any small farmers

you either got big or got out

technology is expensive and dictates running a large operation

there are some small hobby folks but they are primarily employed elsewhere

[flashbunny]

oh boy, more free money!

I need to buy some land and get paid for not farming it.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Goldwater was right, farm subsidies should have been abolished. Too bad Freedom to Farm failed because Clinton kept promising to buy more farm votes and the GOP didn't have the cojones to let the law phase out subsidies to most crops.

[P-40]

there are some small hobby folks

We have some small hobby folks here also but they don't seem to be employed elsewhere; nice cars though. :)

[Cloverfarm]

We're still here, but we don't participate in the government farm programs.