Farm Subsidies Pros and Cons List

Farm subsidies were established following the Great Dust Bowl in 1930.President Roosevelt, in an attempt to prop up the economy. enacted the Agricultural Adjustment Act as a temporary measure in an emergency situation. These payment were made to farmers to ensure adequate produce for the American population. Variables, such as insects, weather, and other events do not allow a predictable harvest on a yearly basis. The farm bill established a floor price which is guaranteed to the farmer, any deficit would be supplemented by the taxpayers. A version of these subsides exists to this day, for better or worse.

List of Pros to Retain Farm Subsidies

1. Enables a Stable Farming Economy.
These subsidies allow the farmers to obtain the most advanced and effective farming methods and concentrate on using the most efficient methods of modern farming to maximize yield .

2. Promotes Healthy Competition Between Farmers.
A new technique may take several seasons to catch-on, but success invites imitation. There is tremendous family pride that stretches through generations that act as motivators to present the best produce and product from each farm. The farm-to-table movement has bolstered the small farms.

3. Maintains Trade Balance.
In the event of a poor harvest, subsidies diminish the impact of pricing spikes and diminishes our relying on foreign countries for farm produce. It is essential to not only produce for our domestic needs, but also have adequate production to maintain our current trade balance.

List of Cons to Abolish Farm Subsidies

1. Limited Alternatives.
The constraints of a farm subsidy does not allow for alternative planting for the farmer, the soil suffers, and new innovations remain in the research laboratories. Necessity invites innovation and trial and error.

2. Not Sustainable.
While our farmers make up less than 2% of our economy, in lesser economies, farming may be up to 70% of their economy. These lesser economies are not employing best practices in farming and tend to over-produce, over water and use excessive pesticides to ensure that the crops planted make it till harvest. The drain on resources is not sustainable.

3. Minimal Nutritional Value.
The crops that are subsidized: corn, soybean, and wheat, are also the least expensive to grow and deliver an minimal nutritional value. The corn is used for human as well as animal food, as well as fuel in some instances.

The current state of farm subsidies has evolved from a temporary measure to permanent legislation. The current laws will not expire and have bipartisan support. The legislators from the farming states are principally represented by Republicans and are heavily lobbied and supported by the farmers . The Democrats follow the Food Stamp programming which is intrinsically tied to the Farm subsidies.