Educate me on Farm Subsidies!

[radman1]

Remember, that taxes are again paid on the farm subsidies, so some goes back to the goverment. The next proposed farm bill will decrease or eliminate payments to farmers who have farm incomes above a set limit. Currently, there is no set limit and it is proportional to the amount of land you have and previous crop production. Not to start a political war, but the amount of $$ spent in the Iraq war is vastly more that the farm subsidies program. I am not postive but I think the farm subsidy program is about 10 billion/year. The proposed request for the Iraqi war is 194 billion next year.
Some of the incomes mentioned are loans which are paid back by the farmer with interest.
I forgot to add, that subsidies are tied to crop prices. Prices for most crops were near all time lows in the past 5 years. Corn below $2 has nearly no profit. Most farmers were living on the subsidies. Low prices = more subsidies. Prices in 2007 have improved dramatically for wheat, corn and soybeans. Therefore, pay outs will be lower in 2007.

 

[cp1969]

Amazing to see how many people on New York's Manhatten Island are receiving farm subsidies.

You wouldn't think there would be a lot of farms there.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Amazing to see how many people on New York's Manhatten Island are receiving farm subsidies.

You wouldn't think there would be a lot of farms there.

Site list's farm OWNERS. Their farm might be located elsewhere with primary place of residence in downtown NY.

 

[randy41]

central park is pretty big.

 

[cp1969]

central park is pretty big.

Yeah, it's a spread. Something like 100 acres.

 

[cp1969]

Site list's farm OWNERS. Their farm might be located elsewhere with primary place of residence in downtown NY.

I figured that out, because other than Central Park, there probably isn't one acre on that island that isn't paved.

It sure gives the impression that we are sending a lot of farm subsidy money to Wall Streeters and lawyers. And I think that is probably a pretty accurate impression.

 

[dmccarty]

My wifes family farm is now split up among the Great Grand and Grand Children, with a bit still held by second(Children) generation but that portion will soon pass to the Grand Children. Of that large group of people only three people still live on/near the farm and they are not farming. Its all leased with most of the income/subsidies going all over the US.

The farm I worked on in KY had an absentee owner as did the one in FLA. Nothing new about absentee owners, I'm pretty sure that Washington and Jefferson had muliple properties. Course they were also away from "home" quite a bit as well.

Farm subsidies are always sold as a way to help the family farmer but farms ain't 40 acres, a cow, some chickens, pigs, and a mule anymore. People still seem to think of the family farm in those terms but farming for the most part is a large business. National Geographic has an article about biofuels in the latest issue. They mention that a tractor dealer this year sold 10 $200,000 combines which is well above his average. Its a pretty big business that needs and can afford a $200,000 combine. Not to mention all of the equipment to plant haul and store the product produced by that combine.

Should their be Farm Subsidies is a Political discussion.

If there is a government program that helps a person then they should use the program. We are paying for that govenment and that program. One might was well get some of our taxes back. We have a timber tax valuation/deferment on some of our land. If we did not have that valuation we would have had to sell some land because of rising land prices and thus property taxes. Then the land would be raising houses instead of trees and wildlife.

Start with the County Extension office. They have been very helpful to us. Also try your states Agriculture Universities. In NC, NCSU has a pretty good Extension Website with lots of good information. If you state has a Farm/Tractor Show then go visit. NC has one in Jan/Feb and there are lots of govenment agencies represented. They want someone to talk to them otherwise they are bored out of their minds. Be nice and help keep them from being bored.

If you have an old farm store in your area with old farmers sitting around BSing in the winter they could be interesting to talk too.

Later,
Dan

 

[randy41]

Yeah, it's a spread. Something like 100 acres.

Central Park Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - CentralPark.com

a lot more than that.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I figured that out, because other than Central Park, there probably isn't one acre on that island that isn't paved.

It sure gives the impression that we are sending a lot of farm subsidy money to Wall Streeters and lawyers. And I think that is probably a pretty accurate impression.

In a fit of boredom las winter, I started paging through various states looking at names of subsidy recipients. I don't recall which state, although I believe it was Missouri, but was I suprised to find none other than former NBA "star", Dennis Rodman listed as drawing huge sums of money. I'd like to see his tractor

 

[cp1969]

Central Park Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - CentralPark.com

a lot more than that.

Thanks, I stand corrected. But refresh my memory...is the size of Central Park the issue here, or is it the fact that our tax dollars are going to people who live in the most urban of all areas of this country where no agriculture could possibly take place?