Hi,
The new farm program is being debated. The primary reason that most farmers are in the program today is that the federal government pays half of their crop insurance premium. This has been devastating as it encourages producers to bring pastures, timber, or areas on the periphery of the corn belt into row crop production. If the incentive for farmers to enroll in the farm program which does require conservation practices were changed to something different it could have a dramatic impact on Iowa.
I had a letter published in the Des Moines Register today which can be seen here.
Steve Swan
Clay County, Iowa