The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette ran a Washington Post editorial entitled “End farm subsidy program” You’ll notice that most of the pro-market rhetoric goes right out the window when we start talking about farm subsidies. Then it’s all about the sanctity of the family farm — right before they pass a bunch of pork that doesn’t help the family farmer a great deal.
The last time Congress took a long look at America’s wasteful system of agricultural subsidies, we had to endure bushels of shallow rhetoric about how billions in largess would save the great American family farm. With this hefty crop of disingenuous sentimentality and equally hefty lobbying efforts from powerful agricultural interests, the result was a federal giveaway that did more to hurt small farmers than it did to help them.
The law that authorizes a range of unnecessary and ill-targeted agriculture programs is set to expire in September. So expect fronts for agribusiness, rural banks and farm insurers (and the members of Congress who accept their campaign contributions) to try to sell the same line again this year: Extend the programs or nail the coffin shut on America’s heartland. It’s about time to nail the coffin on that tired line instead.
Federal agricultural payments are in fact fueling a rapid consolidation of American farms into enormous agribusinesses. Larger farms get much more government money, which they then use to buy up more land. This increases land prices, raising the financial barriers to starting a new farm and pressuring small farmers to leave the market. Congress should overhaul the federal farm subsidy system.
The article’s right on. Both of my uncles who are farmers do it on the side and work factory jobs as full-time employment.