Viking’s Recent Comments

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  Important big farmers with big subsidies

  Thank you for highlighting these quotes.  The societal benefits of a farm are inversely related to the size of the farm's subsidy.

  Jerry Peckumn
  Iowa FarmerOn A knuckle-dragging senator teaches Vilsack that size matters posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago 3 Responses

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  Help Beginning Farmers raise good food

  I see a lot of good suggetions in the article and posts.  I attended the Practical Farmers of Iowa conference Friday and Saturday.  In the beginning farmer session, it was a nice suprise to see so many people interested in beginning a farming business.  And almost all want to raise good healthy food, from grass based dairies and beef farms to all types of horticultural crops.  In addition to processing, farmers need help in marketing direct to consumers through websites and product information development and through a cooperative retail outlet.  Federal loans and grants to help build cooperative food stores could really help promote farming.  In addition capital loans to farmers need to be available at low fixed interest rates for non-traditional food enterprises.  It is relatively easy to get a loan to raise a field of corn or soybeans which have price guarantees and subsidized revenue insurance.  If we want farmers to raise food, then we need to help them with the same capital tools from the Federal Government.  Governor Vilsack was a good administrator who did a good job governing Iowa given that he dealt with a difficult legislature.  He could make some important decisions for food production concerning rural economic development and how the USDA loan programs are administered to non-traditional farmers-I hope he does so.

  Jerry Peckumn,farmer
  Jefferson, IowaOn Think locally, act infrastructurally posted 10 months ago 15 Responses

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  Help Beginning Farmers raise good food

  I see a lot of good suggetions in the article and posts.  I attended the Practical Farmers of Iowa conference Friday and Saturday.  In the beginning farmer session, it was a nice suprise to see so many people interested in beginning a farming business.  And almost all want to raise good healthy food, from grass based dairies and beef farms to all types of horticultural crops.  In addition to processing, farmers need help in marketing direct to consumers through websites and product information development and through a cooperative retail outlet.  Federal loans and grants to help build cooperative food stores could really help promote farming.  In addition capital loans to farmers need to be available at low fixed interest rates for non-traditional food enterprises.  It is relatively easy to get a loan to raise a field of corn or soybeans which have price guarantees and subsidized revenue insurance.  If we want farmers to raise food, then we need to help them with the same capital tools from the Federal Government.  Governor Vilsack was a good administrator who did a good job governing Iowa given that he dealt with a difficult legislature.  He could make some important decisions for food production concerning rural economic development and how the USDA loan programs are administered to non-traditional farmers-I hope he does so.

  Jerry Peckumn,farmer
  Jefferson, IowaOn Think Locally, Act Infrastructurally posted 10 months ago 14 Responses

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  Sharp Contrast

  While McCain could surprise some of his supporters on the environment, there is a sharp contrast between McCain/Palin and Obama that is quite significant for sustainable agriculture. Change in agriculture will have to occur at an economically sustainable pace or many of the family farms that have been caught in the commodity subsidy trap would disappear and be replaced by much larger limited liability organizations.  Certainly the Conservation Stewardship program will be important in starting a shift to sustainability, but payment limits would be a beginning at reform also.  Obama, in a central Iowa rally early in the campaign, responded well to my question concerning how to prevent ethanol production from depleting our natural resources.  He was knowledgeable about the issue and not afraid to show leadership in an Iowa farming community.  He said something to the effect that ethanol production needed to include and shift to cellulose.  If biomass ethanol does have a viable future it will be ethanol made from a diverse perennial crop, rather from corn or worse yet from cornstalks.  So while McCain does not like ethanol subsidies would he lead on sustainable agricultural systems?  Having rules that control pollution including non-point source water pollution is absolutely necessary for sustainability to ever occur; I do not hear that from McCain or Palin.  Federal programs to help beginning farmers who have fresh ideas will be important.  The Vice-President candidates are also important to look at.  Palin's public statements since her nomination reveal little about her intent for agricultural policy or natural resources protection.  Biden has a strong public record.

  Jerry Peckumn
  Jefferson, IowaOn Weighing Obama's and McCain's stances on food and farm policyMcCain: Food Maverick? posted 1 year, 1 month ago 5 Responses