Where’s the food?
Maia shared this news story from the NYT about how the government thwarts small farmers who provide local produce to people who really want to buy local produce. What it says isn’t surprising, but it is super disappointing.
The author of the article is Jack Hedin, a small organic farmer in Minnesota. He explains how the government penalizes corn farmers for growing anything else, including renting land to other farmers. It seems that an empty field is more desirable to the government (and various lobbyists) than growing other vegetables and fruits.
“Farmers need the choice of what to plant on their farms, and consumers need more farms like mine producing high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables to meet increasing demand from local markets — without the federal government actively discouraging them.”
I just want to prepare and eat real food. Local (and preferably organic) fruits and veggies and pasture fed meats. Why is the government subsidizing corn and soybeans anyway? The last thing we need is more high fructose corn syrup, soy isoflavins, and processed crap food-like substances.
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catbird :: Mar.03.2008 :: cat rants, going green :: No Comments »