How the Supercommittee Could Kill New Farmers Markets
Remember the farm bill, that monstrously complex, twice-a-decade omnibus legislation that shapes US agriculture and hunger policy? You know, the one that Michael Pollan and other sustainable foodies wrote so much about four years ago? Well, it's...
November 2, 2011 | Source: Mother Jones | by Tom Philpott
Remember the farm bill, that monstrously complex, twice-a-decade
omnibus legislation that shapes US agriculture and hunger policy? You
know, the one that Michael Pollan and other sustainable foodies
wrote so much about four years ago? Well, it’s back, earlier than
expected (the last one doesn’t expire until 2012). And it has found
itself caught in the crosshairs of DC budget hysteria-in a way that will
likely reinforce the worst, most agribiz-friendly elements of US ag
policy and defund the best parts, including programs that help farmers transition to organic and help communities start new farmers markets.
What gives?