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The Current Farm Bill: Farm Bill subsidies mainly benefit a small number of the nation's largest farms, with nearly two-thirds of all farmers receiving no subsidies at all.
Fact: A history of discrimination in farm program delivery has meant many African-American, Hispanic and Native American farmers have been prevented from benefiting from these programs, like credit and crop insurance, in part leading to the loss of 97 percent of African-American-owned farms in the past century.
The Fair Farm Bill: Would support all of Americas farmers and help build local food systems to ensure farmers get a larger portion of each dollar we spend on food. |
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 It's a multi-billion dollar bill that affects what we eat, how we farm, the fate of our environment, and who has access to healthy food. Let Congress know you care! Learn More » |
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By Daniel Imhoff An outstanding guide to why the Farm Bill matters and what to do about it.
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![Justice](javascript:changeText("<div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Current Farm Bill:</b></div>Farm Bill subsidies mainly benefit a small number of the nation's largest farms, with nearly two-thirds of all farmers receiving no subsidies at all.<br/><span style=color:#C1040B><b>Fact:</b></span> A history of discrimination in farm program delivery has meant many African-American, Hispanic and Native American farmers have been prevented from benefiting from these programs, like credit and crop insurance, in part leading to the loss of 97 percent of African-American-owned farms in the past century.<br/><br/><div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Fair Farm Bill:</b></div> Would support all of Americas farmers and help build local food systems to ensure farmers get a larger portion of each dollar we spend on food.","images/justice.gif"))
![Nutrition](javascript:changeText("<div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Current Farm Bill:</b></div>Provides incentives that encourage excess production of sugary and high-fat foods and factory-farmed meat and dairy, leading to skyrocketing rates of diet-related illnesses and obesity.<br/><span style=color:#C1040B><b>Fact:</b></span> Because of massive subsidies in the Farm Bill for corn and soybean producers, the price of soft drinks and other sugary foods decreased by nearly 20 % while the price of fruits and vegetables increased by 40 % [Study Data: 1985 - 2000].<br/><br/><div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Fair Farm Bill:</b></div> Would encourage farmers to grow foods such as fruits and vegetables that promote health for all.","images/nutrition.gif"))
![Environment](javascript:changeText("<div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Current Farm Bill:</b></div>Favors industrial farming that wastes valuable natural resources and relies heavily on agricultural chemicals that pollute our rivers and streams, while providing little funding for land stewardship.<br/><span style=color:#C1040B><b>Fact:</b></span> Only 25% of farmers who apply for the Farm Bill's conservation programs to address water, air, and wildlife challenges receive any funding at all.<br/><br/><div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Fair Farm Bill:</b></div>Would greatly expand incentives for responsible farming and stewardship of the land, including farming practices that are less dependent on oil, use less water, toxic pesticides and fertilizers, and increase natural soil fertility.","images/env.gif"))
![Hunger](javascript:changeText("<div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Current Farm Bill:</b></div>Doesn't adequately address the crisis of hunger in the United States where thirty-five million Americans, roughly the population of Canada, are hungry or live in food-insecure families unable to afford the food they need throughout the year.<br/><span style=color:#C1040B><b>Fact:</b></span> The Food Stamp program of the Farm Bill provides
recipients on average only $3.15 per person per day for food, barely enough for one meal let alone three.<br/><br/><div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Fair Farm Bill:</b></div>Would provide more funding for programs that would ensure that no American goes to sleep hungry.","images/hunger.gif"))
![Tax Dollars](javascript:changeText("<div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Current Farm Bill:</b></div>Spends up to $20 billion dollars per year on subsidies tax dollars that could be better spent fighting hunger, protecting the earth, and promoting good health.<br/><span style=color:#C1040B><b>Fact:</b></span> The Washington Post found that $1.3 billion in agriculture
subsidies went to people who do not farm. Another $1.1 billion dollars went to dead farmers over a 7 year period!<br/><br/><div style=padding-bottom:8px><b>The Fair Farm Bill:</b></div>Would spend tax dollars wisely to promote the kind of farms, communities and food supply Americans want.<br/><br/><a href=http://farm.ewg.org/farm/ target=_blank>Farm Subsidy Database »</a>","images/tax_dollars.gif"))
