Craig Myrbo: Reps. Kind, Ryan champion farmers who need help most
The Capital Times
April 11, 2008
Dear Editor: Contrary to your recent editorial, Reps. Ron Kind and Paul Ryan do support working farmers and families in this country.
More than 35 million Americans live in households that struggle to put food on the table. More than one in 10 people in Wisconsin live in poverty. This includes many in Dane County. Rising food and fuel prices are intensifying the challenge to make ends meet.
In 2005, the top 10 percent of Wisconsin crop producers received two-thirds of commodity payments coming into the state. Without reform of the commodity payment system, farm policy will continue to direct money to mostly wealthy farmers while high-priority needs remain unmet.
Congress could save billions of dollars by making commodity programs fairer and more equitable. These savings could be redirected to support farm and rural people of modest means, through enhanced conservation and rural development programs and a stronger Food Stamp Program, our best defense against hunger. Strengthening the safety net to better meet the needs of farmers would render a permanent disaster program unnecessary.
Despite the shortcomings of the farm bill versions passed by the House and Senate, congressional negotiations going on right now provide an opportunity to get the farm bill back on track to genuine reform. To meet the April 18 deadline, lawmakers must transcend politics as usual, and agree to help those who need it most.
Reps. Kind and Ryan have shown true leadership in championing a farm bill that better reflects America's values and addresses its most urgent priorities.
Craig Myrbo
Madison
