It Shouldn't Be a "Giveaway".

 A cursory review of today's Miami Herald spotlights an editorial from the Chicago Tribune regarding the 2018 Farm Bill.  Food assistance and farm production are combined in this legislation.  At one time it was a simple way to compromise two good ideas. Encourage farmers to produce for domestic and foreign markets and at the same time make sure that folks in this country are fed and not hungry.

The SNAP program distributes food to those who face food insecurity and the remaining Farm Aid Bill supports farmers and agribusiness that provide food for people on a world wide basis.

The farm bill can also promote conservation of soil, water and livestock.  If we were all closer to the land and had a better understanding of where our food comes from I can think of many benefits. 

I'm not a farmer but a cursory review of the literature on the subject of "better farming", the following subjects keep showing up.

1) Better soil preparation

2) Crop rotation

3) More bio-diversity

4) Better integrated pest management

5) Aquaponics

6) Permaculuture

7) Using cover crops

8) Conservation Tillage

9) Agroforestry

Being more productive can be a win/win/ for producers, consumers, and the environment. 

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