Farming Is Falling, Effecting Our Food and Families ©

by: Betsy L. Angert

Mon Apr 04, 2005 at 13:00:00 PM EDT

This morning I was surfing the Internet; I read "MaxSpeak, You Listen!"and was startled to read a piece that did not speak of the papacy, the Pope, and his passing. Max was writing of "Republican Welfare in America"; actually, he was writing of the "tragic destruction of family and the work ethic." He linked to a piece called "The Lowest Deep" posted by Adam O'Neill. The topic, "Are Small Farms OK, Or Just Tax Sheltered ©." O'Neill was reflecting on a New York Times Op-ED article by Bruce Gardner, one in which the author expresses his concern for the "Little Guy," and for "the increasing size and industrialization of American farms." This discussion stimulates my own thoughts and I share these with you.

The issue of farming is an interesting one. It brings up many questions?

Farming for profit, for sustenance is barely possible today.

Farming, now, cannot support a family.

It must be done for fun or with much assistance.

When we discuss small farms today are we truly discussing bureaucracies, the influence of big government and corporations?

Are small farms small or are they largely subsidized?
What are they being paid not to farm and who pays them? Consider the "Family Farms of America"

What are farmers farming and why?
How will the produce be used?
What foods are farmers supplying and to whom?
You might consider the history of "corn" and the "refining of corn," The History of Corn Refining in the United States

Are farmers concerned with our health?
Are they growing healthy crops or are they growing their own wealth?
Are farmers now serfs to the corporate suppliers? MSNBC offers, "ADM settles corn syrup case"

What of those that buy, what do they buy and why? You may wish to consider the business practices of Archer Daniels Midland. Please read, AgriBusiness Center "Judge Gives Final OK to ADM . . ."

Have you been to the "grocery" store recently?
Though they were once considered the source of food, now they are the source of "corn syrup." Currently, the majority of foods are processed; they are filled with sweetness, the sweetness of corn syrup. You may wish to read Washington Post piece, "Sweet, and So Not Innocent."

Produce and production are not merely for oral consumption.
Consider ethanol. Ethanol is derived from corn, grain, and other plants.
Its production pollutes the air with volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide.
As a gasoline additive, it is dangerous.
MSN Groups reports, Lead from this blend leaches into the ground water supply.
However, sources say that it is a cleaner burning fuel.
Fuel enriched with ethanol burns more completely.
It does diminish fuel efficiency.
Nonetheless, the Federal Government offers financial assistance for the use of ethanol in gasoline.
Many states receive tax credits for using this mix.
These states contribute less to the Highway Trust Fund.
Ethanol has an effect on the environment and on economics!
These affect us all, farmers and families.
It has benefits and it belies.
Ethanol is as corn syrup; it is as farming, "sweet, and not so innocent!"

Please peruse Our Junk Food Nation By Juliet B. Schor and Gary Ruskin, AlterNet.  This writing is quite revealing.  It helps to explain why we believe that what we eat is all there is to choose from.