Many solid conservatives support farming subsidies. The supposed alternative is market-driven prices alone. I prefer a different approach to subsidies or pure market forces when it comes to the nation’s food supply. My opinion is that federal and state governments would be wise to buy and stockpile American agricultural and livestock products when they are plenty, and allow market forces to work when they are scarce.
Our food supply chain is incredibly short. Today, if we found our nation in a depression, the death toll would be catastrophic. Fewer people are capable of growing their own food. And the efficiency of the supply chain brings with it the weakness of running out quickly when supplies are depleted.
The very existence of government owned stockpiles have historically been used to keep commodity prices artificially depressed.
The government programs do not insure production or supply, they insure votes.
Farmers who believe the USDA and their subsidies exist for the benefit of farmers are fools.
Consumers who believe they exist to insure their food supply, are fools.
The free marketplace works just fine, thank you. Allow farmers to grow and sell what they will at a profit, and watch the abundance!