“I don’t think there is any question that the majority of farmers and ranchers in Oregon are not well served by the current farm bill…” —Earl Blumenauer, (D) 3rd Congressional District
If you are among the top 10% of farm producers—the large commodity crop growers: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, and cotton, then the current Federal Farm Bill— that roughly 90 billion dollar, 5-7 year legislation— may contain just the right recipe.
Earl Blumenauer feels that the Farm Bill should benefit the majority of hard working farmers— not a small minority—many of whom grow fruits and vegetables but receive almost nothing in federal subsidy support. Despite the critical importance of these whole foods to our daily diet, fruit and vegetables are considered “specialty crops” in the Farm Bill. Blumenauer will be offering an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill to reduce the subsidy amounts paid to the large commodity growers.
According to the Capital Press, Blumenauer singles out the Oregon Farm Bureau as systematically supporting big agri-business interests at the expense of small and medium size farmers—those that make up the majority of farmers in Oregon.
The Oregon Farm Bureau plans to issue a response to Blumenauer after the organization meets within “the coming days”.
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