Free Press: Farm programs seem ripe for reform

Our View: Farm Programs: Crop insurance has room for budget trim

Mankato Free Press editorial

The U.S. Government Accountability Office and conservative think tanks agree on one point when it comes to farm programs: They should be cut.

While subsidies have long been accepted as a way to keep food prices cheap, and nutrition programs for the needy have been broadly supported, times have changed. Farmers now operate much larger and robust farming operations than when the programs were put in place.

Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, said small farmers rely on the crop insurance program, but his group is open to reform. He noted the USDA does not put income limits on the crop insurance program as it puts on other farm programs.

Read the editorial by following this link.