In step with the Times...

In a New York Times editorial yesterday, the newspaper chided the Obama administration for decimating USDA conservation programs while leaving in place huge subsidy payments to big producers of corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops. Secretary Tom Vilsak has proposed chopping $600 million from conservation programs aimed at helping farmers preserve wetlands, open space and wildlife habitat.

Interestingly, those cuts come out of a $4 billion program urged on the department last year by then-President Bush, characterized by the Times as "...reform-minded on agriculture."

Also interestingly, Secretary Vilsak is quoted as saying that he recommended cutting the conservation programs mainly because USDA "...does not have the administrative capacity to distribute the extra money."

Wow. Apparently they do have the administrative capacity to distribute $5 billion in direct subsidy payments to giant row crop producers. The Times suggests that cutting $600 million out of subsidy payments, rather than short-changing conservation programs, would be a much better way to go.

Couldn't agree more.

The complete editorial is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/opinion/15mon2.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=agriculture&st=cse

Do you love farmers? Well, Duh!, as the saying goes. I assume everybody reading this space has some kind of affectionate connection to farming and the rural way of life. In his editorial this week, Lancaster Farming editor Dave Lefever talks about his affection for a new website started by a group of young Californians. You can check out why we likes them here: http://ilovefarmers.org/about.html

Pick a pickle. Pick a pepper. Play a tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3OxKdDxkpg