Amen for the conventional farmer
Last week in The Wall Street Journal there was a great article by Mark Heckman, vice president of the Global Farmer Network1, and a producer of cattle, corn, and pigs, that hit the nail on the head. I rarely agree with these people, but this time he got it right.
For those who haven't had the chance to read it, I inform you that the author essentially criticizes Trump for the harmfulness of tariffs to agriculture. He writes: "High fertilizer costs and low soybean prices have made it difficult to make ends meet this year. We are on the brink of the worst agricultural crisis in the country since the 1980s. Mr. Trump's trade wars are a big part of the problem. They have cost me and other farmers a lot."
I guess I should forgive him for the unethical use of "me" in the last sentence – one should always put oneself last. But he is probably addicted to country music, which constantly uses this ungrammatical inversion and generally uses "me" when it should be "I." I think more words rhyme with "me" than with "I." But that's a digression.
He then writes that "most of my [soy] will remain unsold in storage," comparing this to the 275 million bushels of this grain that China intends to buy from Argentina. He then writes: "Many media describe potential aid payments to American soybean producers as a 'rescue package.' I consider this an insult. Money will not compensate even in the slightest for the losses suffered by farmers."
I perceive this part of the article as typical, conventional complaining, but the last paragraph is really strong: "The government should stop interfering with American farmers and let market forces operate. Don’t give us handouts. Let us sell what we grow to people who want to buy it, both domestically and abroad."
Calm down, my beating heart. Does he want to eliminate subsidies? Eliminate the subsidized ethanol that consumes half of America's corn crop? Eliminate food regulations that prevent me from selling chicken stew to my neighbor? Or homemade cornbread? Is it possible that all this commotion in agricultural areas makes even the devil want to dance with libertarian angels? It seems like too far-fetched a fantasy, and all we can do is listen to what this man says and say: "Amen, brother."
Do you think the Global Farmer Network [a non-profit agricultural organization, founded in 2000 with the aim of amplifying the voice of farmers on the global stage regarding issues related to: agricultural free trade, access to modern technologies (including biotechnology, GMOs, precision agriculture), sustainable agriculture (e.g., regenerative agriculture), food security, economic growth and poverty reduction] would sign the FOOD EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION [ created by Salatin a decree/appeal, which calls for the "liberation" of the food system from excessive government regulations (federal and state in the USA). It aims to enabledirect food sales between neighbors, farmers, and consumers (e.g., raw milk, homemade preserves, meat from small slaughterhouses) without having to meet costly industrial requirements (licenses, FDA/USDA inspections). Salatin compares current regulations to "tyranny" or "food slavery" – consumers have freedom of choice in many areas of life (e.g., bedroom, bathroom, abortion), but not in the kitchen. The proposal aims to: lower local food prices (by 30-40%, as there are no transportation and industrial processing costs); support small farmers; increase food security (less dependence on big corporations); combat the oligopoly in the food industry]? Really?
Ed. JB
1 From English: Global Farmer Network.