In a September interview, Mr. Vilsack (at the time an adviser to the Biden campaign) said “I don’t think most farmers want government payments,” noting a “need for new policies that support a more resilient farm sector.” Under a Biden administration, he added, “the USDA could set up regional food-supply markets and direct federal incentives to farmers who adopt climate-friendly practices.” Right on!This has an interview with the new Chair of the House Ag Committee, Rep. David Scott (D-GA).
Let’s give Vilsack credit for embracing that kind of thinking. And let’s lift up the idea of a just food system, feed ourselves, pay our farmers and farm workers fairly and pay everyone else a fair wage — as Bernie Sanders says, “a minimum of 15 bucks an hour.” Let’s admit that forcing over-production of dairy, or any commodity, on the world market is a losing game. If folks like Rogue River and others can export their specialties, more power to ‘em.
Ricardo Salvadore at Union of Concerned Scientists stressed that “any change in administration is an opportunity to strike in a new direction. So, obviously, going back to a [USDA] secretary of the past is not the way to strike in a new direction. That is status quo.”
Given a second chance, will Tom Vilsack be that “someone with vision for a just food system” that Joe Maxwell hoped for, someone who will Build Back Better, or will it be “déjà vu all over again”? The fate of farmers, rural communities and our food system depends on the answer. - In These Times
Monday, December 28, 2020
A farmer's look at Ag policy
This is by a retired dairy farmer. Most of it has to do with the massive red flags raised by the pick of Tom Vilsack as Ag Secretary. I'm quoting the concluding paragraphs, which suggest that all is not lost by any means.
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