[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Aces4

I think that your relatives are wiser than that if they have been farming that long. Manipulation of farm prices is a joke and many here maybe unaware of huge corporate farms taking over farming and prices. Consumers will be amazed at the cost of food in twenty years.

Also, you may want to check the fat, government subsidies being handed out to farmers. Google it in each state. It’s laughable and now farmers are insuring their crops and many in this locale are cashing lovely checks because it was too wet to plant or later in the season so they filed a claim and are not hurting at all.

Farming is a whole different game than even 20 years ago.

I think most people are very aware of farm subsidies, which started back during the Great Depression, and how a disproportionate amount...goes to corporate/millionaire farmers.

And also that the 'family' farmers don't get nearly as much in subsidies/assistance...as the more politically powerful/larger agribusiness entities.

Most smaller farmers have to take loans before planting season...then hope it's a good year. Not to mention that they have huge capital costs in equipment, that are used only a small part of the year.

So my relatives, and other farms that are not part of large conglomerates, basically live on the edge year-to-year...in spite of some even receiving small subsidies (as long as they plant the correct crop).

And yes, it is definitely a hypocrisy when the larger corp's (who don't really need them) receive what is basically a 'government handout/welfare'...while so many rail against minority families who receive money simply to survive.

Why the great hypocrisy?

Which is also a good segue into those billion-dollar companies whose working employees who receive government assistance, because their wages are so low...which means that we are in effect subsidizing those large corporations also.

Why are most people fine with one so-called "government handout," yet so outraged...by the other?

Why the great hypocrisy?


Here's a good article that gives BOTH the pros/cons of farm subsidies...and a few reasons why of each.

Farm Subsidies (till here)

Farm subsidies are federal government funds paid to U.S. agribusinesses. They help reduce the risk farmers endure from the weather, commodities brokers, and disruptions in demand. But they have evolved to become very complex.

As a result, only large producers can take advantage of them.

Out of all the crops that farmers grow, the government only subsidizes five of them. They are corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice.

People need to do but a modicum of research, to find that individual farmer's impact from tariff's is huge and most would much prefer to sell on an open-market...in spite of government money off-sets.