Number of small farms increases

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By Diane Strand Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series on the 2007 Farm Bill. For the first part, click here. The American Farmland Trust, with an office in DeKalb, argues there are &#8220voices for change” influencing Farm Bill 2007. Urging a new emphasis on conservation, California rancher Steve Stinton argued, &#8220Most farmers and ranchers truly want to be good stewards. But it is a challenge to do so when there are policies that limit conservation funding yet support prices for crops in surplus. We need a farm policy that encourages everyone in agriculture to be excellent stewards of their land.” The AFT also quoted Saxby Chambliss, Senate Agriculture Committee chairman: &#8220The next farm bill is going to look entirely different from the current farm bill. We all agree on that.” And New Hampshire farmer Gary Matteson suggested, &#8220Green payments can provide the flexibility to strengthen the rural economy, establishing a bridge from New Deal era commodity programs to an entrepreneurial future for rural America.” Finally, Iowa farmer Varel Bailey, former president of the National Corn Growers Association, warned, &#8220Without a strategic change in farm policy, U.S. agriculture will be rapidly marginalized, isolated and uncompetitive.”

Nutrition as a ‘commodity' Coming from another direction, but repeating similar themes, are Bread for the World's recommendations in its report, &#8220Healthy Food, Farms and Families.&#8220 They include: * Phasing out the current system of commodity payments that link higher payments with higher production levels. € Offering farmers tools for managing financial risk, helping with catastrophic crop failure...and supporting good environmental stewardship. * Using savings fom limits on trade-distorting farm programs to accelerate rural development and end hunger. * Expanding Food Stamps and other nutrition programs to raise benefit levels, extending them to more hungry and poor people, assuring access to healthy foods. The nationwide emphasis on fighting obesity through healthy foods including fruit and vegetables is having an effect on farmers. Anita Zurbrugg, of AFT's research unit in DeKalb, noted recently that while the number of single-owner farms is declining, there is an increase in very small farms that produce such healthy foods. She adds, &#8220Illinois has the fourth largest number of farmers' markets of all the states.” Bread for the World cites Jim Nissen, a farmer with 500 acres in Harrington, Neb. His entire crop of commodities was wiped out by a freak hailstorm in 2000. The disaster made him rethink his farm. &#8220These days Nissen no longer relies on corn and soybeans,” a story by Todd Post states. &#8220He still grows them, but is far more excited by his plums, choke-cherries and grapes and plans to start a winery. Traditionally, the commodity programs -corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton and rice-have benefited the biggest producers.” Unfortunately, about 80 percent of America's fruits and vegetables are grown on the urban edge - the land most susceptible to development pressures.

Supporting energy conservation To be eligible for federal farm programs, producers must reduce soil erosion, protect wetlands and protect erosion prone lands. Compliance rates are high-96 percent American Farmland Trust supports the new 25x25 Alliance report &#8220Charting America's Energy Future,” which &#8220provides a road map of recommendations for national leaders as they work to develop the energy and conservation sections of the 2007 Farm Bill.” AFT President Ralph Grossi, says, &#8220Increasing our commitment to the production of renewable energy must go hand in hand with an incrreased commitment to working lands conservation programs-to help mitigate the intense pressures that such a shift in energy policy brings.” However, AFT reports, &#8220Thee out of every four farmers who apply for conservation funding are turned down due to lack of funds. U.S. farm policy should help farmers and ranchers provide cleaner water and air, more wildlife habitat, open space and protected farmland.” The AFT recommends doubling funding for working lands conservation. DeKalb, McHenry and Boone counties are now immersed in a turf-tug over what will be a steadily dimishing resource-water. Local environmentalist Julia Fauci asked, when confronted by the urban/rural conflict, &#8220Is this the start of the water wars?” The late Senator Paul Simon, in his book &#8220Tapped Out” warned that water would become the issue of the 21st century, as oil was in the 20th century. In its recommendations for Farm Bill 2007, the American Farmland Trust proposes that it provide &#8220assistance for energy production equipment and energy efficiency improvements on farms and ranches.” It also urges &#8220incentives for converting targeted rural industrial sites into biofuel facilities, and incentives for production of sustainable energy crops through ‘green payments.'”