Concerns are being raised on a number of fronts as the U-S House Agriculture Committee begins deliberations on the House version of the national Farm Bill today (Wednesday). Chuck Hassebrook with the Center for Rural Affairs says he's troubled by the bill's lack of funding for rural development.
The cost of these rural-development programs is a fraction of total farm bill spending, and Hassebrook points to simple ways to fund them - such as cutting subsidies to the wealthiest farmers.
Hassebrook says the House version of the Farm Bill cuts in half the funding for the beginning farmer and rancher development program, and it provides zero funding for the rural micro-enterprise assistance program, which helps rural businesses with 10 workers or less. The U-S Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill last month.
The cost of these rural-development programs is a fraction of total farm bill spending, and Hassebrook points to simple ways to fund them - such as cutting subsidies to the wealthiest farmers.
Hassebrook says the House version of the Farm Bill cuts in half the funding for the beginning farmer and rancher development program, and it provides zero funding for the rural micro-enterprise assistance program, which helps rural businesses with 10 workers or less. The U-S Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill last month.
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