Comments on: White House Signals Farm Bill Veto – Will Congress Bend?

By: Farm Bill Showdown? | ecopolitology

Farm Bill Showdown? | ecopolitology — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:52:37 +0000

[...] from my post at Red, Green, & Blue on 4.29.2008] Word has it that the farm bill congressional conferees hammered out at the end of last week would [...]

By: Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:14:06 +0000

Thanks Tim! That's roughly consistent with my impression…much appreciated. Good idea with Grist, too.

By: Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:20:31 +0000

Tim, do you have an opinion on whether a White House veto of the farm bill would be desirable? Farm policy in the US seems like such a hopeless mess to me that I don’t have a position one way or another, and I’m curious if you have a more thoughtful stance.

By: Timothy B. Hurst

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:43:14 +0000

Rachel, I was hoping no one would ask! Farm policy is not exactly my thing, but what I can tell you is that this farm bill actually does some good things for small farmers, community supported agriculture, farmers markets, and (my personal favorite)small wind power.

It is also my impression, however, that this bill is a lot more of the same, in terms of price supports, safety nets, etc – all the things that corporate farms get fat on.

With that said, I'm kind of torn and would have to defer to some more informed policy analysts. There is usually good coverage of farm policy at Grist if you want to know more.

Hope that helps.