It is a shame that the AJC feels compelled to attack the American Farmer. Americans have the LUXURY of having the cheapest and most closely regulated food supply in the world. We are government regulated as to what can be used to grow our crops.
Taxpayers, also known as American consumers, have to be pay for this. Either pay now with government subsidies or pay later at the grocery store and clothing stores in higher prices. Which do you choose?
The "average" farmer, who wasn't interviewed, does not have a condo in Florida. He makes his living working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day, not counting the night hours during irrigation season. The majority of his government subsidies are returned to the economy in form of rent, supplies, diesel, equipment, labor.
There will always be abuse in any program, be it a government regulated one or a private industry one. Do not assume that the abuse is being done by all.
By the way, if government subsidies were taken away, the lines at the welfare office would grow ten fold. The entire Southwest Georgia economy is dependent on agriculture, from the peanut mills and cotton gins and local gorcery stores and auto parts stores, to the little old ladies who depend on the farm rent to supplement their meager Social Security checks.
"Don't talk about the American Farmer with your mouth full."

Hi Connie,

Gulp. It is a shame that we took away such different messages from the AJC article. We, at EWG, and I'm almost certain, those at AJC, agree with you that food and the farmers that produce food are important. We also agree with you that rural communities are an important part of American culture and identity. However, we hope you agree, that any farmer that breaks the rules, should be punished. Additionally, we hope you agree that any auditor pursuing farmers who break the rules, should not be obstructed from the pursuit of justice on behalf of all Americans.

Michelle Perez
Senior Analyst, EWG

First of all, I’m a fourth generation rancher. Diversified ranching/farming was my parents and grandparents main source of income. As a youngster, I remember my dad having to go beyond diversification by finding work outside of ranching just to get us through the dry times. Without going into detail, at 39 years of age I’m living proof of how uncapped subsidies, corporate agriculture, and current legislation keeps my operation smaller than small. I’m a school teacher and I run 140 head of range sheep as a sideline. Please do not refer to me as a hobby rancher because my sheep make me a much needed profit for my family. I am very experienced and much more capable than most stockmen, and I have a lot to offer the younger generation. However, it’s difficult for my generation and the younger folks to compete simply because todays legislation allows the advantage to go to large scale agriculture. My rural community has lost its identity and we are left with just a few operators and many phantom landowners. I've never signed up to receive a government subsidy

As far as American food being cheap, well, it’s not. It has cost me over $1000 in medical bills and treatments…and still counting. My good looking teenage son has cystic acne. Cystic acne is severe and painful. Doctors will tell you that the reason for the severity of acne is genetic. Well, neither his mother nor myself had an acne problem at all during our pubescent years. Since my son is not genetically predisposed, then the reason must be environmental. I blame the added hormones in American dairy, poultry, and meat. Hormonal disruption is the physical cause of acne.
I pray every day now that my 11 year old daughter will not wake up tomorrow with an adult woman’s chest and a man’s waist. Please take a look at the youngsters around you and you’ll see that my son is not the only one suffering, and also please do not be blind to the young girls’ imbalances.