The corn and soybeans drying in the fields look great, and reports of high yields are front-page news. Yet, alongside the stories of a robust impending harvest are the features explaining how the price of commodities is dropping steadily and is expected to stay low for years to come.
Many of us Iowans know the truth in what you say. We have got to keep sharing this solid information with our neighbors. And we can work from the inside by buying locally-produced, sustainably-grown food. Also, we can put pressure on the outside by continuing to demand of our legislators the enactment of the kinds of measures you propose, Beth. Thanks for articulating so well what so many of us far less eloquent Iowans believe.
Beth, your words have never been more true. We live in a state where agri-business holds people, not just the farmers that comprise less than 5% of Iowans, captive. Why do the leaders in our state lack imagination and creativity when it comes to how Iowa needs to heal from the abuse of an extractive economy? It’s not as if we haven’t been to Des Moines to offer alternatives. Lack of political will holds them back from seeing the destruction of our state. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
It seems that our government puts the interests of Big Ag over all else. No one asked me if I wanted two CAFOs located within a mile of my house, and yet, they just appeared. It doesn't matter that they have ruined our air quality, or that the manure they spread in the surrounding fields runs off into our waterways. Our government won't stop them. Herbicide drift is another matter that affects us all, but it only gets worse every year. And then there is ethanol, which was sold to us as a new source of green energy, but that was a lie. Still, the farmers growing corn receive subsidies we all help to pay for.
Very well written! Dependence on govt subsidies does not make a farm strong. It is just too mercurial. Bringing animals into a crop rotation is a proven way to improve the soil plus diversity in any farm allows for stability. Great article.
Thank you Glenn!!
Many of us Iowans know the truth in what you say. We have got to keep sharing this solid information with our neighbors. And we can work from the inside by buying locally-produced, sustainably-grown food. Also, we can put pressure on the outside by continuing to demand of our legislators the enactment of the kinds of measures you propose, Beth. Thanks for articulating so well what so many of us far less eloquent Iowans believe.
Buying local food is the best. Directly strengthening your local food economy. Keeping local funds in local pockets.
Beth, your words have never been more true. We live in a state where agri-business holds people, not just the farmers that comprise less than 5% of Iowans, captive. Why do the leaders in our state lack imagination and creativity when it comes to how Iowa needs to heal from the abuse of an extractive economy? It’s not as if we haven’t been to Des Moines to offer alternatives. Lack of political will holds them back from seeing the destruction of our state. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
It seems that our government puts the interests of Big Ag over all else. No one asked me if I wanted two CAFOs located within a mile of my house, and yet, they just appeared. It doesn't matter that they have ruined our air quality, or that the manure they spread in the surrounding fields runs off into our waterways. Our government won't stop them. Herbicide drift is another matter that affects us all, but it only gets worse every year. And then there is ethanol, which was sold to us as a new source of green energy, but that was a lie. Still, the farmers growing corn receive subsidies we all help to pay for.
Very well written! Dependence on govt subsidies does not make a farm strong. It is just too mercurial. Bringing animals into a crop rotation is a proven way to improve the soil plus diversity in any farm allows for stability. Great article.