Farm subsidies are currently tied to conservation requirements, but the requirements aren't even nearly what is needed if we want to achieve clean water.  The big question that is oddly absent from most of the mainstream media coverage of the new Farm Bill is whether the (very lucrative) crop insurance that is proposed to replace subsidies will have any conservation requirements at all. 
 
Whether crop insurance will be tied to conservation compliance is currently up to the Farm Bill conference committee.  Unfortunately, it seems possible that in return for more funding for food assistance, among other things, conservation compliance could get thrown under the bus.   I know that some people in NRCS are terrified of that possibility.   Crop insurance with no compliance would be the end of the only small stick they've got, and carrots are in short supply.  
 
Cindy
 
Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA 50010

"What does autumn go on paying for
with so much yellow money?” (Pablo Neruda)
 
In a message dated 10/14/2013 9:19:14 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
Just a thought for conversation….

Maybe the crop subsidies prop up a system that would otherwise collapse further upon Iowa rural humans?  (We can't say "people" anymore, can we?)  If the Cato Institute is trashing the subsidies, I almost think there might be something in there for the humans after all.  Iowa farmers may be those "middle-size farms" that would suffer from sudden dramatic shifts in subsidies -- and just killing the subsidies would make the shift likely be towards more industrial rather than less.

Tie the subsidies to conservation practices, hold Obama to his promise to use antitrust authority for fair and open markets for livestock, new subsidies for beginning farmers and local organic -- but be cautious of taking a "safety net" away from Iowa rural humans?


Donna



On Oct 14, 2013, at 8:26 AM, renata sack <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Yes, Bill Leonard's article is super good!
>
> On Oct 14, 2013, at 6:18 AM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
>> Article Title: Iowa View: State has turned into a 'toilet' for industrial ag
>>
>>
>> To view the contents on www.desmoinesregister.com, go to: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201310140405/OPINION01/310140043
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Message:Check out this great article "Iowa View: State has turned into a "toilet" for industrial ag  how true.
>>
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