The Farm Bureau supports unlimited commodity subsidies — subsidies that help the nation’s largest farms drive family farmers out of business. Responding to a draft version of the 2007 Farm Bill, the Farm Bureau said in a press release:
While Farm Bureau was pleased there are no cuts to payment limits in the proposal, the organization will watch the debate closely in the future. “We recognize that the farm bill debate is far from over and that changes are likely in the coming weeks,†said Stallman. “Farm Bureau will be particularly watchful of changes to payment limitations and adjusted gross income caps.â€
In so doing, Farm Bureau is protecting the interests of these “farms.”
| Rank | Farm Businesses | Location | 2003-2005 |
| 1 | Balmoral Farming Partnership | Newellton, LA | $7,908,563 |
| 2 | Phillips Farm | Yazoo City, MS | $5,893,194 |
| 3 | Due West | Glendora, MS | $5,417,792 |
| 4 | Kelley Enterprises | Burlison, TN | $4,933,845 |
| 5 | Walker Place | Danville, IL | $4,627,034 |
| 6 | R A Pickens & Son Company | Pickens, AR | $4,307,636 |
| 7 | Dublin Farms | Corcoran, CA | $4,286,864 |
| 8 | Morgan Farms | Cleveland, MS | $4,192,828 |
| 9 | Perthshire Farms | Gunnison, MS | $4,161,420 |
| 10 | P G C Farms | Brinson, GA | $4,157,017 |
The Farm Bureau has long claimed to be the “largest farmer-member organization†in the country, but when it comes to Farm Bill politics, they are a lobby for the interests of large agribusiness. Supporting $8 million subsidy checks is no way to be a friend of the farmer.
With their support for unlimited subsidy checks, Farm Bureau is helping to drive the continued consolidation of agriculture. I’m sure their lobbyists in Washington talk a good line about supporting farmers, but in the countryside the devastating effects of the agricultural policy they help write is clear.