Grange Leader Calls for More, Not Less Farming
Calls Dairy Compacts Most Innovative Agricultural Innovation of 1996 Farm Bill
Cedar Rapids, IA (November 12, 2001) - Speaking to the 135th annual convention of the National Grange, Kermit W. Richardson, National Master (President), called on Congress to create a new Farm Bill that will "…encourage increased participation in agriculture by the largest number of individuals and families through the broadest possible distribution of agricultural assets possible." Contrary to popular thinking that the United States currently has too many farmers and too much production, Richardson hammered home the point that, "Our nation does not suffer from having too many farmers. Our nation's food security is threatened by having too few farmers!"
Richardson called for legislation that will benefit a broad spectrum of farmers rather than favor the few and to reject legislation that will lead to continued consolidation in American agriculture. He also called for legislation that will allow the current generation of farmers to retire with dignity and to easily pass on farm assets to the next generation without onerous financial burdens.
Technical Assistance vs. Land Retirement
Keeping with his theme of "more, not less farming," Richardson pointed out that 92% of all Federal conservation dollars go to land retirement programs and that nearly every state is woefully under funded in technical assistance programs that "help farmers to produce food and fiber in harmony with the environment." He revealed that the host state, Iowa, had funding to cover only 37% of its technical assistance needs. Richardson strongly pointed out that current House legislation would only exacerbate the shortcomings in technical assistance.
To everyone here: what industry are you in? Does the government directly subsidize your industry (doesn't count contracts for goods and services the government wants)? Is the government going to spend billions on "technical assistance programs" to help auto mechanics as a whole fix cars "in harmony with the environment"? No, they'll just pass a regulation telling you not to dump your old oil. Farming seems to have a special place in everyone's hearts, and its put on a higher level than other businesses.
I really like "legislation that will allow the current generation of farmers to retire with dignity." Please, I'd like to retire with dignity now without having to worry about social security or how much is in my 401K -- give me the money!
This guy is talking about more and more subsidies. Subsidies cost us twice: once in taxes and again in higher prices at the grocery store. The only beneficiaries are a small number of farmers. As brityank said, This is outright welfare-state communism; "To each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities."
However, "easily pass on farm assets to the next generation without onerous financial burdens" is right. The estate tax on farmers is one of the worst things I've ever seen, making farmers incorporate just to shield their assets, and making it literally too expensive to die.
And get real everyone. Do you actually think a farm bill that is fair to small farmers will ever get passed anyway? ADM and ilk have far too much power in Congress, with most farming state Reps and Senators in their pockets.