The entire area of the United States, including Hawaii and
Alaska, totals nearly 2.3 billion acres. Land used for agricultural purposes
constitutes a 52 percent majority of that total. That is reason enough why the
federal Farm Bill, as much as any other single piece of legislation, has a
direct impact on each of us. In determining how the majority of our land is
managed, the Farm Bill further determines the predominate products and ultimate
sustainability of our food system.
The Farm Bill-debated and re-authorized about every five
I call this year "I'm so glad I own a farm" year. We've all
noticed the price increases of food and gas. I've been asking other farmers to
learn the scoop. My buddy, Steve Nowak, an organic farmer that grows wheat and
barley, says it's the first time in a long time that farmers are making some
real cash and doing well. Most of the farmers that I've talked to are grain producers;
most are making good money because they grow corn now, and corn prices have
increased due to ethanol demand.
