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I s -

re's how to do it LYONS -. Small enterp'isc has a crit-i-

cal role to play in America's economic recovery, c:;pecinlly in rural areas of the

gr-cs:i I;I~ZCS up 1 0 ; . ;.;l;rt iotl to refuel our economy, I bc:lic.ve :.;lrr:ill. en-

sllould he the 1cgisl;~t ion's , !

rises - o~vner-upcrater11 businesses that pro~~idi? self err~ploymc.~rt i and perhaps hire a few employees - - - crc- ate most new ru rd jobs.

Beginning farmers and value-added ag- riculture bring addilionirl vitality to rural

'There's no better tirnc t h;in now for kd- , era1 policy to invest in these proven rural I

development strategies. Here's how the Center for Rural Affairs

believes Congress can do it: - Provide a direct incentive for rural

enterprise by establishing ii Microenter.. prise and Bcginnir~g I::rrn~c>l' Inveslmeut 'I'ax Credit of up l~o $10,000 to stimu1;tte small business expansion and new farm and business startups. - Fund more rural slllall business

loans, training and tecl.inical assist;u~cc. by increasing funding for the l<ur;ll 1Lli.- cmentl'e~)rclle11l*s T'ri ,gt-iriil. /In ilrcrc.;~sc from $4 milliorl 10 (25 miliiol~ in 1-h1.i tiew 1 farm bill program \mulcl pay long--tern~

---Add funds to 1-he ::ucce~tifltl Vcrluc Added l'rod?~ct?l- Grartls Progr;lrr~, wtlich

flakes g1.auts to fnn~iiy-size d~t-nrcrs a11tl ! rancher:; to launch new ventures to es- tablish local markets and to proloces!; and market high value crops and livestock. An added $24 million would bring tile pr-o- gram to the $40 million authorized by the

These three provisions would jump- start rural economy and plant the seeds of long-term rural vitality through entt-epre-

Congress should embrace them as it evelops legislation to pronlpt econornjc covery in America.

CHUCK HASSEEROOK Center for Rural Affairs

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E I ;Grazier shares successes on ranch By LINDA WUEBBEN reg~onal@norfolkda~lynews.com

h African grazier to change the way grew up during a

ation here. '

e better because

Mitchell-Innes is world renowned for his practice of Holistic Management (HM) and his philosophy of mob grazing. In re- cent months, he has visited several suc- cessful graziers in Missouri and Texas to share information and offer advice.

During his Nebraska stop that was spon- sored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Knox County, Mitchell-Innes told farmers and ranchers from Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and as far away as Wyoming, how Holistic Management has changed his life and that of his family.

"When I completed the training pro- grams for HM, I came home and turned off my irrigation pumps," Mitchell-Innes said.

n "I also make the cattle walk to water." Eight years ago, Mitchell-Innes stopped

f- farming. i"? He stopped turning the soil on his '14,000-acre South African ranch near

Elandslaagte, which has been in his family since 1863.

But he didn't stop ranching. He realized his family was slipping away. So was his money. His time was consumed with farm- ing and he wanted a change.

Between translating hectares to acres and livestock density to square feet, Mitch- ell-Innes told the ranchers and farmers filling the meeting room some things they found hard to believe.

When Mitchell-Innes said make the cattle walk to water, he added he has seen herds that walk 23 kilometers or 12 miles for water. Some cattle go for three days without water and they survive - they adapt.

Mitchell-Innes said he beiieves animals fiere are as spoiled as the Americans he ,educates in sustainable agriculture who have everything at their fingertips. He also said animals are much tougher than one gives them credit for.

After five years of Holistic Manage- ment apd mob grazing, Mitchell-Innes saw a growth of grasses he had never seen on his family land.

The seed was waiting there, in the soil, for the right seedbed and optimum envi- ronment for growth.

The new grasses were from seeds he had never purchased or sown. These grasses also are stronger and more nutri- tious for his livestock, so now the animals grow faster and fill out nicer.

1

IAN MITCHELL-INNES uses diagrams to illustrate his paddock system.

The pastures are greener, the grasses are more productive and he has tripled his herd size.

In 2005, Mitchell-Innes' son returned home to ranch. Between the two of them, they raise two breeds on half of the origi- nal ranch property, while they contracted out a three-year lease on the other half.

During a session in Creighton, Mitchell- Innes presented video proof of how his land has rebounded to a lush and green pasture. He also drew diagrams that showed how he set up his paddock system. -

He also tbrd them of his successes. Mitchell-Innes, a mob grazier, said he

believes in high stock density kept in a small pasture or paddock area for a short time, maybe for only hours, and then mov- ing the cattle to the next paddock. The in- creased stock density allows the cattle to trample the vegetation.

The concentrated herd of cattle chewed up the soil and added manure. When Mitchell-Innes moved his herd through the grid system to the end and came back to the first grazing area 180 days later, the grass was lusher.

He also found his herd had better weight gain and there was more forage to feed on, so he could increase the number he put in his grid.

Today, they run about 4,000 head. "I know what I'm telling you is hard for

you to believe, but it's true," said Mitch- ell-Innes. "I have seen it happen time and time again."

His input expense dropped drastically -to almost nothing.

He uses no chemicals, buys no seed or

Wisdom tidbits Ian Mitchell-lnnes offers these

words of wisdom to producers: . Be sustainable. . Feel free to choose freedom of

choice. . Change from dependence to inde-

pendence. . Develop people skills. . Transition to the nejct generation. . Work from where you are. . Manage for what you want. . Work with nature instead of

against it. . Capture energy from all levels of

nature. . tmpo!:ance of hydrogen and car-

bon. . Plan and monitor -- observe. . Remember relaxation, fellowship,

social interaction arid leaving one's cornfort zone.

. A good farrner or rancher doesn't need the whole pie.

feed supplements, outside of salt and bone meal.

He doesn't grow hay or alfalfa to har- vest for bales.

"I tell you, I don't like the smell of die- sel," said Mitchell-Innes with a laugh. ''That is why I farm this way."

The HM way of farming also is compat- i b l e with the carbon issues now surfacing

in agriculture in the United States. As the cattle trample the grass, it causes the veg- etation to multiply, with the plant growth allowing more exposure to the sun, pro- ducing more hydrogen.

"I have learned to invest in people and put my security there instead of money," Mitchell-lnnes said. "I find ways to make rooni for families and make a place for children to come back."

He told the producers they needed lo take stock of what they have and work from there. There can be profit without spending thousands of dollars if farmers and ranchers are willing to change their ways.

"I have learned life takes funny turns," Mitchell-Innes said. He's taken his life- style change around the world to show people it's all about personal involvement and, yes, there's some risk, but, oh what re- wards he has reaped.

"I have taken control of my life and I am true to myself," Mitchell-Innes said. "I want to be a person I would like to meet - and you, too."

*

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r~~rnat ive-opt ion for landownersi I +By Traci Bruckner

Center for Rural Afiairs I i--

If you have land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and you are bying to decide what to do with i t once the contract comes to a close, consider the benefits of transferring that land to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. A new federal program, the Conservation Reserve Program Transition Option, can provide you two years of additional CRP payments for doing just that.

With thousands of acres set to come out of the Conservation Reserve Program in the next few years, the option provides a n incentive to ensure some of those acres help beginners or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers get a

servation-based manner. socially disadvantagedm One year before the con- farmer or rancher. In return,

tract is set to expire the the landowner/contract beginning or socially disad- holder wlll receive two addi- I I vantaged farmer or rancher tional annual rental pay-, is allowed to make conserva- ments. tion and land improvements For more information con- I I andlor begin organic certifi- tact your local Farm Servicel cation. Agency office or contact

An approved conservation Traci Bruckner at1 plan for the land must be tracibQcfra.org or 402-687-' developed and implemented. 2103 ext. 1016. !! The farmer or rancher will The Center for Rural I

be provided the opportunity Affairs was established in ' to enroll the land in the 1973 as an unaffiliated non-! Conservation Stewardship profit corporation under IRS ; Program or the cnde 501(c)3. The Center fori Environmental Quality Rural Affairs was fbrmed by- Incentives Program. rural Nebraskans concernetl

When the CRP contract about family farms and expires, the landowner/con- rural communities, and tract holder must sell or pro- works to strengthen small vide a long-term lease of the businesses, family farms

chase) to the beginning or munities.

I ---

I land (with an option to pur- and ranches and rural corn-,

start in agriculture in con- L-- 1 \

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Alternatiue Option far landowners

By Traci 131ucknt~, tracib@cfra.org, . . Center for Rr~cii ~ f f a i i s

If you have land enrollcd in the Conscrvalion Rcscl-be Program (CRP) and you arc tryil~g to dccide what to (lo

1 with i t oncc the contract comcs to a closc, con5iclcr tlic benefits o f transfer- ring that land tc~ a hesinnin~ or socially disadvantayccl Sar~ncr or I-anc.hcr. A new fcder& prograni. the Conscrvat~on

'

Rescrvc Program 'Transition Option, - can provide you two ycars of additional

CRP paytncnts for doing just [hat. -- - 19 - - ;:.4r:%tlt1 thoilsand~ of acres,~s,$, to come

out o f t h c Conservation Reserve Pro- gram in thc ncxt few years, thc option I providcs an incentive to ensure some of I ll!osc acres help beginners or socially i disadvantaged farmers or ranchers pel a

I start in agrtrulture in a conservation- based manner.

One year before the contract is set to expire the beginning or socially dis- advantaged farmer or ranchct- is al- lowed to make conservation and land

in~proven~ents and/or begin organic

- An approved conservation plan for

niust be developed and imple- The farmer or rancher will be j

d the opportunity to enroll the_] onservation Stewardship 4

rogram or the Environmental Quality. Incentives Program.

When the CRP contract expires, the landowncrlcontract holder must sell or provide a long-term lease of the land (with an option to purchase) to the beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. In return, the land- ownerlcontract holder will receive two additional annual rental payments.

For more information contact your ; local Farm Service Agency office or

. Traci Bruckner at cac~b@cfra.org or 402-687-2 103 ext.

: 7

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e !fl -

1 Guest Opinion I C i Sometimes you eat the bear-' I

by John Crabtree Nearly ten years ago I first wrote about the

growing threat of vertical integration and concentration in ineatpacking.

Smithfield, Cargill, IBP, etc. were buying up packing plants and industrial hog produc- tion facilities at a breathtaking pace. We spoke loudly and often about the need for the Justice Department to take on these mergers. We called on the United States Department of Agriculture to write rules that define the "unreasonable preferences" which the Pack- ers and Stockyards Act prohibits and get busy enforcing them to prevent packers from

discriminating against smaller volumc fami- ly farm and ranch livescock producers.

Thousands of family farmers and ranchers from across America joined us in telling everyone who would listen that action was needed from USDA and Justice. A lot of peo- ple-politicians, agency officials, commod- ity groups, etc.-told us nothing would ever come of it. And for a long time, nothing did.

But then, in the 2008 farm bill, Congrcss required USDA write rules defining "unrea- sonable preference" to protect family farm- ers and ranchers against volumc based price discrimination.

Ancl last month the Department of Justice and 13 state Attorneys General filed suit to stop .lBS, (he Brazilian meatpacking con- glomcrate, from acquiring National Becf Packing. That deal would have given JBS, Tyso~i and Cargill 85% of national beef slaughter (35% f o r JBS alone).

'Those thousands of farmers and ranchers kiicw back thcn, and those that are left still know totlay, that sometimes the bear eats -. . you ... ant1 sometinles you eat the bear. -

- 3z

Maybe, just maybe, the tables are tu~ning.. -

Thc arirltor is a policy analyst with thk-; ' .- 1

Cerltc~r For Rurt~l Affairs in Lyorzu. i . i I

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Guest Opii~ion

1 - Secretary of Agriculture must -be devoted to innovative vision

I By Elisha Greeley Smith Center for Rural Affairs

I, Barack Obama launched his campaign in Iowa with a promise to create genuine opportunity for rural people and a better future for their communities. Now Pres- idcnt-elect Obama must appoint a Secretary of Agriculture who embraces the change needed to achieve those goals. Farm and rural policy illustrate the broken politics of Washington. The fed- erid government spends billions subsidizing mega farnis to drive smaller farlns off the land and largely fails to invest in the future of rural comniunities.

Uarach Oh;irn;1 proposcd ctlang- ing those l'ailetl policies. Flc pro- posed capping payment5 to mega fanns and enforcing rule\ ayainst unf;~ir pricing pl.actices by me:it packers to s t r e n ~ t h e ~ ~ far~tily sire fanns. To revitali~c r'u~al com- rnunities. he proposeti il~ve\ting in small b~~sincss, micmenter- prise developnient ant1 value nddetl agricul t~rse. He proposed increased pl.otluction of t)iof~rels and wind energy. Ant1 he pledged sup~>ort for pr~tecti~ig our lnntl and water throuph the Conserva- lieu Stewardship Progrant. which re\\iartls fSar~ners for good prac- tices. These i.eforrns run head-on into demands for new spending

by big Farm and commodity interests. The president's com- ~nilment is most critical to achie\,ing reform, but his Secre- tary of Agriculture is allnost as irnporta~it. A .secretary comniittcd to the status quo will not llelp 0ham;i achieve change. The new president should start with one siniple test for those who would be Secretary of Agricul- ture. Have they worked for the rural agenda on which he cam- paigned and are they committed to advancing it ~vhen he takes office in January'? For more infosn~:itiori visit: \\.ww.cfra.olp

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We9re Going places1 1 TB3;Toni Tauber, Knox County Economic Development Director I

Since starting my position for Knox County, I've had many people ask 'What is Economic Development." So, let's start from the beginning, ac- cording to Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia:

d "Economic development is the development of economic wealth of coun-

triec or regions for the well-being of their inhabitants. From a policy perspec- tivc, economic development can be defined as efforts that scck to improve

I the economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating , . and/or retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base."

On Sept. 13,2001 an Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement was signed to ate the Knos County Development Agency. The agreement was adopted local government units within Knox County, along with several financial titutions and Great Plains Communications. The purpose of the KCDA to "act as a coordination, education, and service organization to foster,

romote, encourage, develop, research, analyze and increase the knowledge, ppreciation and practice of economic development and to help to preserve nd enhance the Knox County community's economic growth". The development agency met for our monthly meeting on Oct. 27, in Cen-

ter, and focused on strategic planning for our agency. We will be holding a

I community-wide strategic planning session in January 2009 to set our pri- orities for years to come. We will be inviting several different representa- tives from each of the communities to participate in this session. If you are

I interested in finding out more about this, please contact me at knoxcodevel- opment@gpcom.net.

The month of October was busy for me. I was fortunate enough to make it to more comrnunitics and meet a lot of great people. I continue my work with the BECA grants we were awarded, as well as search for grants from inquiring parties. I will be serving on the Wind Farm Advisvry Board inVer- digre, as well as the Small Business Network Advisory Board through the Center for Rural Affairs. There seem to be so many projects, and not really

>nough space to write about all. I welcome any questions you may have for bme relating to projects I am working on that affect your community directly. , *$Feel free to call me, e-mail me or stop in to say hello.

'= 1 ------- - - - I I

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Initiative launched for health care reform The Center for Rural Affairs has launched a Rural Health

Care Reform Lnil iaiive. The center tias initiated an online petition as part of the initial ir.rr: effort. The sigrratures ancl comrneiits collected froin the petition ~ v l l l be shared with - the next administ~at io~ early in 2009.

"Rural people arc alllong the most ill-served by the cur- rent health care system. Issues of access, affordability, pre- vention and how to deal with chronic diseases are issues that fall disproportjoiiately on rural people and rural corn- munities. Reforming the health care systenr is also vital for the long-tern1 econon~ic and comnluiiity vitality of rural areas," said Jon Railex director of the Rural I3esearch and Analysis Program a t the Co~iter for Rural Xffjirs.

As part of the initiative. Bailey said, the center is also interested in hearing how health care and health insurance issues affect rural families and rural businesses.

He said these experiences will help the center better un- derstand the issues rural people are facing and will allow the center to explain the issues to those in n'ashington. Anyone wishing to share their experiences may do by send- ing them to Kin1 Prestoi: at kir11pgcfra.oi.g or at the Cen- ter for Rural Affairs, PO. Box 136, Lyons, NE $8038, or oil- line at http://wrvw.cfra,org/contact. Pdicipants will nnuai~i anollymons, arlci their nalllcs will not be used i n 2.113~ way

"Rural people have much to offer to the health care de.. bate, and much to add to reform proposals. We are hoping our initiative gets rural people involved in a debate that will affect the future of all of us and our coniti~u~lities." 1

'Bailey said. I

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CENTER for RURAL AFFAIRS

'Taking The Good With The Bad' I

b y Elisha Greeley Smith, elishasCcfra.org. Center for Rural Aflairs arlier this year Brazilian meatpacker JBS (the largest beef packer in I world) announced its intention to purchase both National Beef and the ithfield Beef Group (which includes Five Rivers Feeding with the capac-

ity to feed 800,000 head of cattle at one time). This would have reduced the U.S. cattle market from five major packers to three and would make JBS the largest U.S. beef packer with nearly 35 percent of the cattle slaughter mar- ket, followed by Tyson and Cargill. 'The top four packers JBS, Tyson, Car-

i gill, and National together slaughter more than 85 percent of U.S. cattle. - Unfortunately, the UIS, Department of Justice recently gave their impri-

$ale of thd~&tthfield ~.:, E&ef ~i.r&~6rbui;'nation's fifth laigest bkef : JBS.

-> -

ood news, however. The Justice Department and 13 state attor- filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court in Chicago, seeking

to stop JBS's proposed acquisition of National Beef Packing. -- Thousands of citizens took action against these mergers and encouraged

a;he - -. J%iqg Department to stop this irresponsibla consolidation of the beef a packing industry. The Center for Rural Affairs helped over two thousand

individuals voice their concerns and opposition to these mergers (view peti- tion at http:llwww.cfra.org/JBS).

Mergers such as these not only hurt livestock producers, they hurt rural communities as well.

National Reef has announced that they will vigorously oppose the govern- ment's suit. We hope, for the sake of cattle producers, consumers and rural communities, that the Justice Department proves worthy of its name and ~ wins the day over National and JBS.

The Cmter,for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaffiliated nonprojt corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Aflairs was formed by rurrcll Nebraskat~s concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural comnzunities.

- - -

CHIEFTAIN Date: Thursday, November 20,2008 - -- -

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c Cawnghr 2008 411 Rlghm Rsaved I . --

Alternative option for landowners By Tracl Bruckner Center for Rural A ffuir.9 .. .&-A . I I - .

If yol have land enrolled in thc Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and you are trying to decide what to do with it once the contract comes to a close, consider the benefits of transfening that land to a beginning or socially disad- vantaged farmer or rancher. A new fedcral program, the Conservation Reserve Program Transition Op- tion, can provide you two years of additional CRP payments for doing just that.

With thousands of acres set to come out of the Conservation Reserve Program in the next few years. the option provides an in- centive to ensure some of those acres help beginners or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranch- ers gct a start in agriculture in a conservation-based manner.

One year before the contract is set

to expire the beginning or socially disadvantaged fanner or rancher is allowed to make conservation and land improvements and/or begin organic certification.

An approved conservation plan for the land must be developed and implemented. The farmer or rancher will be provided the op- portunity to enroll the land in the Conservation Stewardship Pro- gram or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

When the CRP contract expires, the landownerlcontract holder must sell or provide a long-term lease of the land (with an option to pur- chase) to the beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. In return, the landowner/contract holder will receive two additional annual rental payments.

For more information contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universaI-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 111 - Center for Rural Affairs Recipient: John Crabtree

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From the Center I

Sometimes you eat the bear

Nearly ten years ago I first wrote about the growing threat of vertical integration and concentra- tion in meatpacking. Smithfield, Cargill, IBP, etc. were buying up packing plants and industrial hog production facilities a t a breath- taking pace. We spoke loudly and often about the need for the Justice Department to take on these mergers. We called on USDA to write rules that define the "unreasonable preferences" that the Packers and Stockyards Act prohibits and get busy enforcing

. them to prevent packers from dis- i ' criminating against smaller vol-

ume family farm and ranch live- stock producers.

Thousands of family farmers and ranchers from across America joined us in telling everyone that i would listen that action was need-

ed from USDA and Justice. A lot of = people - politicians, agency offi- ' cials, commodity groups, etc. - told

us nothing would ever come of it. And for a long time, nothing did.

But then, in the 2008 farm bill, Congress required USDA write rules defining "unreasonable pref- erence" to protect family farmers and ranchers against volume based price discrimination. And last month the Department of Justice and 13 state Attorneys General filed suit to stop JBS, the Brazilian meatpacking conglomer- ate, from acquiring National Beef Packing. That deal would have given JBS, Tyson and Cargill 85% of national beef slaughter (35% for JBS alone).

Those thousands of farmers and ranchers knew back then, and those that are leR stdl know today, that sometimes the bear eats you ... and sometimes you eat the bear. Maybe, just maybe, the tables are turning.

The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaffiliated non rofit corporation under IRS Cole 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans con- cerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, fami- ly farms and' ranches, and rural communities.

REPUBLICAN

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Stem-cell debate could heat up again in Nebraska

LINCOLN (+With President- elect Barack Obama promising to ease restrictions on embryonic stemcell research, it could mean a rekindled debate and some deci- sions for Nebraska researchers and other officials.

Members of Obama's transition team have indicated a change in stem-cell research policy could come swiftly, perhaps within the first 100 days of his presidency:

If so, scientists say it could open the door to a host of new opportu- nities in medical research.

Researchers study embryonic stem cells in hopes of developing cures to diseases. They have come under fire because isolating the cells destroys embryos. Opponents of the research believe embryos are the starting point of human life and that destroying them is immoral.

Opponents say they hope restric- tions remain in place at the Univer- sity of Nebraska Medical Center.

The NU Board of Regents' cur- rent policy on stem-cell research says UNMC scientists must abide by federal guidelines in their work.

Under President George W. Bush, that meant UNMC scientists can conduct embryonic stem-cell research only on stem-cell lines created before Aug. 9,2001.

"I think the ball is going to land in (the regents') court," said Chip Maxwell, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Re- search, which opposes embryonic stem-cell research.

Maxwell said his group plans to meet with regents soon to discuss restricting an expansion of UN- MC's research under the Obama administration.

"We would argue there's no rea- son Nebraska needs to partake in what we say is the wrong direction in stem-cell research," Maxwell said. "We'd like to hold the line right where it is."

Whether the regents will act, however, remains to be seen. Board Chairman Chuck of Lyons, a supporter of embryonic stem-cell research, said he's heard no discussion about revisiting the board's policy

Putting restrictions on UNMC researchers that aren't imposed on other researchers across the country could hurt UNMC's r e cruitment and retention of top scientists and even its ability to compete for federal grant money. said David Cmuse, L ! C asmi- ate vice chancellor for academic affairs.

"We want to be on a level play- ing field. We do want to be world- class," he said. "We don't want to

be put at a disadvantage." The chance to use new stemcell

lines harvested h m embryos left over &om fertility treatments is alluring to scientists because the old lines are damaged and, in some cases, no longer functional, Crouse said.

Crouse and Hassebrook said that even if Obama expands embryonic stemcell research, UNMC scien- tists would be bound by a state law passed this year that prohibits them h m creating and destroying embryos at will.

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INDEX

MITCHELL, Nebraska

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Center for Rural-- '. Secretnry of Agriculture Must be ~evoted to lnnovrtive Vision

By Chu-mak, Cefiter for Rural Affairs Barack Obama launched He proposed increased

his campaign in Iowa with a production of biotbels and promise to create genuine o p wind energy. And he pledged pomity for rural people and a support for protecting our land better future for their commu- and water through the Conser- nities. Now Presidentelect vation Stewardship Program, Obama must appoint a Secre- which rewards fanners for tary of Agriculture who em- good practices. braces the change needed to These reforms run head-on achieve those goals. into demands for new spending

Farm and nual policy il- by big fann and commodity lustrate the broken politics of interests. The president's com- Washington. The federal gov- mitment -is most -critical to ernment spends billions subsi- achieving reform, but his Sec- dizing mega f m s to drive retary of Agriculture is almost smaller fanns off the land and as important. A secretary com- largely fails to invest in the mitted to the status quo will fbture of rwal communities. not help Obama achieve

Barack Obama proposed change. changing those failed policies. The new president should He proposed capping payments start with one simple test for to mega farms and enforcing those who would be Secretary rules against unfair pricing of Agriculture. Have they practices by mmLp&m to worked for the rural agenda on suengthen family size farms. which he campaigned and are To revitalize rural communi- they committed to advancing it ties, he proposed investing in when he takes office in Janu- small business, microenterprise ary? dcvs!opment and value added For more information agriculture. visit: www.cfra.org

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Profile: 11 1 - Center for Rural Affiirs Recipient: John Crabtree