FOOD NEWS: Dan Imhoff: The Farm Bill
FOOD NEWS: The Farm Bill:
A Conversation with Dan Imhoff: An Introduction to the Farm Bill-Part 1: The 2007 Farm Bill legislation will cost taxpayers $90 billion dollars in farm subsidies, and will only benefit a small percentage of farmers. Indeed, Dan Imhoff, author of Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to the Food and Farm Bill explains, little money goes to the small farmer, and almost nothing to promote the production of fresh foods for healthy human consumption. How did we come to have farm bills that actually promote diet related illnesses? Historically, what was their original purpose, and how has the farm bill changed in recent decades? This is part one of a continuing conversation with Dan Imhoff that examines the federal Farm Bill program.
A Conversation With Dan Imhoff, Part 2: Historical Roots and Evolution of the Farm Bill: The Farm Bill comes up for renewal every 5 to 7 years. But upon passage, that is just the beginning of a yearly battle for allocation of those funds. Part 2 reveals the surprising truth about what the Farm Bill really offers, and how it has evolved from its original purpose.
A Conversation With Dan Imhoff, Part 3: The System Is Broken: Almost 25% of the Farm Bill provides 23 billion dollars in subsidies to farmers who grow commodity crops, but almost no money to help farmers grow crops that are healthy for people to eat. According to Dan Imhoff, the system of farm subsidies rewards bad farming practices that harm the land, and places the farmers who want to employ good farming practices, at a clear disadvantage. In Part 3, Imhoff explains the inequities of the Farm Bill, and offers some suggestions to help remedy these problems. For additional information, download this webcast: Food Fight: A Teach-in On the 2007 Farm Bill
A Conversation With Dan Imhoff, Part 4: Shifting Winds: Furthering the conversation, Dan Imhoff explains how there are cracks appearing in the alliance. A number of opposing interest groups may be coming together to push the Farm Bill toward rewarding better farming practices: encouraging farmers to grow nutritious foods, and employ farming methods that preserve the land for future generations.
A Conversation With Dan Imhoff, Part 5: Why Is The Farm Bill So Important?: Politics can often seem far removed from our present reality; sometimes, far removed from reality itself. How many of us know much about the Farm Bill, or realize how much over the decades it has shaped agriculture production in this country? For those inclined towards disinterest, or for those unaware, this segment may put fire in your belly.
A Conversation With Dan Imhoff, Part 6: What Can You Do?: Passage of the 2007 Farm Bill may occur this year in September, but to insure a bill that promotes an abundant supply of healthy, nutritional foods and rewards sustainable farming practices, will require that citizens let their legislators know they are watching their farm vote. There is a tremendous amount at stake, not just for the small farmer, but for everyone who values health, nutrition, good land stewardship, and domestic energy production. If ever a time, it’s time now for a food fight!
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