Farmers Divided on Farm Bill

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By Rudabeh Shahbazi

Summary

Farmers, corporations and even schools are still sifting through all the layers of the bill.

Story Published: May 29, 2008 at 4:54 PM PST

ELTOPIA-- A new farm bill helps pay farmers for lost crops and puts local produce in schools. People are divided on whether it's worth it, or if it's a waste of your money.

Farmers, corporations and even schools are still sifting through all the layers of the bill. President Bush called it "bloated," and wanted to limit the cash handed out to farmers, big and small.

"I really feel that those corporate entities shouldn't be capable of having subsidies," said Kent McMullen, a farmer in Eltopia.

The Farm Bill made it only the second time Bush's veto has been overruled during his presidency.

Also controversial, is the asparagus tie to cocaine. Local asparagus growers get part of a $15 million pie to make up for the fact that most of the asparagus consumed in the United States is now being grown in South America. It was part of a government deal to provide an incentive for South American countries to focus on a legal cash crop, instead of growing cocaine to sustain the economy.

"It's unfair to the asparagus growers in this country, to have to compete with a country that has no minimum wage laws, no EPA, and they're able to use all the materials and all the lower-cost production methods that we can't use in this country," said McMullen.

Although it's called the "Farm Bill," it will actually benefit local schools more than farmers. The plan tacks on an extra $10 billion to put fresh produce in local schools.

"Potentially, kids could consume more fruits and vegetables during the day as a result of this program," said Samuel Schick, the Kennewick Schools nutrition director.

The Farm Bill also puts $15 million towards losses from the climate, pests and other factors that are out of farmers' control.

Even though the price of grain has gone up, so have the fuel and chemicals farmers need to grow it.

"Agriculture in this country is also a homeland security issue, because any country that can't produce their own food is also at the mercy of those other countries," said McMullen. "And you certainly don't want to be standing in line, waiting for food.

He added that farmers used to have a 150-day supply of wheat for the world, which is now down to less than a one-month supply. For years, wheat farmers were subsidized by the government to stay in business.