subsidies

Why Farmers Should Listen to First Lady Michelle Obama
Jeff Gangemi May 25, 2012 subsidies 0 comments
A great new infographic from the Union of Concerned Scientists does an absolutely incredible job of showing the discrepancy between the typical American diet and the one recommended by the USDA. It also shows how subsidies to producers of the Big Five commodity crops (wheat, corn, soy, rice, and cotton) prevent U.S. farmers from planting the fruits and vegetables we need to be healthy.  The investment required to make this vital change is puny ($90 million) compared to the subsidies awarded to the producers mentioned above (over $5 billion), and the benefits to local economies could be significant. Here’s the infographic (read on below it for more from the Union of Concerned Scientists...
Dairy Prices Bring Some Relief
FarmPlate Mar 04, 2011 subsidies 0 comments
According to WCAX, participants at the annual UVM Extension Dairy Producers Conference on February 24 received some good news about the dairy industry: milk prices are rising and expected to remain high throughout 2011. Although the price increase offers Vermont's dairy farmers some relief, the volatility of dairy prices in recent years gives most farmers reason to proceed cautiously, noting that the market will likely continue fluctuating. Some suggest that the best way to counter this uncertainty is to establish a national dairy supply management system that would monitor milk production, thus preventing farmers from over-producing and driving prices down. More National News Mar. 1: Mark...
Major Chain Moves to Sell Only Wild Salmon
FarmPlate Feb 02, 2010 subsidies 2 comments
Target will no longer sell farm-raised salmon in any of its stores nationwide. Instead of sourcing from salmon farms, Target will stock only Alaskan, wild-caught salmon in its fresh, frozen and smoked seafood sections. The company cited environmental reasons behind the decision, which was announced last week. Target consulted conservationists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to determine how to make their seafood offerings more environmentally conscious. Farmed salmon, Target argues, can increase pollution, chemicals and parasites and hurt native salmon in surrounding areas. Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, said “Target's decision to source...