What Does Your Local Farmer Make?

[rancar]

In the interest of fair disclosure and public accountability in the wake of Enron accounting scandals and bad business practices, see the attached links to see what your local neighbor makes in farm subsidies each year. Note that not all recipients are your local, friendly farmer.

http://ewg.org/farm/

 

[rdln]

Not saying you do, but how many state road dept people get perks from asphalt companies and pavers that put in roads that dont last more than 5 years. If subsidies help prevent my neighbor from selling to a developer, I am for it.

 

[TerryinMD]

Yep, did a search on my ZIP code and found quite a few names I recognize. I am going to research on how I can take advantage of some of these programs.

I have paid plenty to our fair government for programs I do not participate in or will ever participate in and will try to benefit from any program that is made available to me.

To be honest, most of the monies being made available are chump change compared to what the Governments wastes on other programs.

Terry

 

[rancar]

"...most of the money being made available are chump change."

You're right Terry. When I did the search in my neighborhood most locals were lucky to be getting a couple thousand K. But, there were a few real heavy lifters in my County including my tenant farmer who was in the top ten and received subsidies of $126K /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Now, I know why he's been able to promptly pay his land rent. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[rancar]

Steve,

The New York State Department of Transportation awards paving projects based on low bid. We are required by law to do this. We also spec out paving projects with 10-12 year life cycles. If a paving contractor bids low price but has a known reputation for shoddy work, we consider this in the award decision. More likely than not, the next lowest bidder will receive the award (provided they have a solid prior reputation with the Department). If a State DOT employee is ever found to be receiving kick-backs for project awards, they are quickly disciplined and in all likelihood terminated. Things have changed alot from 30-40 years ago.

As for the subsidies, I fully agree with you. But, I think the point of the website was to simply inform the public what was happening with these farm subsidy monies, for good or for worse. They posted this information in the interests of fair disclosure and to inform the public how public policy decisions are made. But, yes, if your neighbor or mine for that matter qualifies for these subsidies, I would bend over backwards to get them to apply. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[Tractor_Barn]

Intresting site. I saw some of my neighbors listed. I have no problem with it at all. If the government really wants to help domestic agriculture, they should stop the imports and give the farmers a chance. I grew up raising hogs and current prices aren't any better than 40 years ago. Of course, equipment, taxes, fuel, seed and fertilizer is the same too...yeah right.

 

[rancar]

Hey TractorBarn,

What's a USDA approved sausage kitchen? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[BHarrison]

There was only one in my area...the poor guy only recieved $1.26.

 

[Tractor_Barn]

Licensed sausage shop...lots of hoops to jump through to get the USDA and county health boards to let you make farm-made sausage. They want you to be Hillshire Frams. I just want to be a little sausage shop.

 

[cedarranch]

Thanks for the links. Found 3 of my neighbors on the list.