re: Let's Talk About the Farm Bill

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Usually scare tactics like soaring prices, etc. are necessary to keep out dated govt. policies in place. Usually those who pay their congressman the most (lobby) end up getting the sweeter deal. It's the American way.

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But seriously, direct payments are being cut and I think it's for the best.

There are some conservation plans certainly worth keeping...there are some that aren't.
There are two in particular that my farm participates in. We were already committed to the cultural practices in the plan, those practices were the most efficient way to do things...all we had to do was sign up for them.
It was almost like free cash. T
hat being said, there are about 4 other farms near us that switched their practice to receive grant money...and now they are committed to more environmentally sounds farming practices.
They couldn't have afforded to make that switch w/o the grant money...so in a way it does make a substantial difference.

Crop insurance, an absolute must to keep American farms alive. You could go from a millionaire to broke with one simple freeze/storm.
It's hard enough for a small/young farmer to get started, w/o crop insurance, it would likely be impossible.