1.  FAMILY FARMER CONFERENCE Online

Starting next Monday, January 7th, Defenders Rural Updates! and familyfarmer.org are proud to sponsor the first electronic family farmer conference of the 21st Century! This virtual conference will feature commentary by fifteen leading family farm advocates from across the nation. It is scheduled to coincide with the annual conference of the American Farm Bureau Federation in sunny Orlando, Florida beginning January 7th. Featured online commentary by distinguished professor Neil Harl, Family Farm Coalition President, Bill Christison, environmental lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr, Rural Advocate Brother David Andrews to name only a few. We are sure this ON-LINE Conference will provide a fresh and long needed alternative voice to the Farm Bureau's agribusiness as usual approach. Stay tuned to Rural Updates for listing info. 

2. BUSH SELECTIONS START WILDFIRES

Environmentalists and family farmers feel President-elect Bush is fueling contentiousness with his cabinet appointments. Progressive farm leaders are concerned his selection of Ann Venneman as US Dept. of Ag. Secretary is a signal that current corporate agribusiness domination of farming will continue. Now environmentalists are expecting a battle as well. Topping the list of suspect nominations for environmentally sensitive positions is Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. Norton worked closely with ousted former Secretary of Interior James Watt, both in government and at the right-wing legal think tank, the Mountain States Legal Foundation.

3. TAXPAYERS AND FARM BAILOUTS

While many family farmers are forced to accept bailout farm payments fueled by the failed "Freedom to Farm" policy, the public seems increasingly aware and upset by the situation. In a recent NY Times article called "Failing Farmers Learn to Profit From Federal Aid." writer Timothy Eagen reports "By the end of the year, some farmers can receive up to $280,000 simply by having another miserable year of failure." "This year," the article continues, "the government distributed a record $28 billion in direct payments, accounting for half of all the money made by farmers." While the article takes an in depth look at federal subsidies to farmers, it unfortunately ignores the underlying causes and accompanying irony; an inequitable distribution system and an agribusiness sector posting historic profits. See the full article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/24/national/24RURA.html

4. FARM BUREAU COUNTER CYCLICAL DOUBLESPEAK

With the "Freedom to Farm" bill on the policy chopping block, agribusiness interests at the American Farm Bureau (AFB) are using their formidable lobbying power to "redefine" current farm bailouts as "Counter- cyclical" support. In a recent position paper appearing on the AFB website they write that Farm Bureau "is pushing for the implementation of a counter-cyclical income support program, as a supplement to regular farm program payments." Meanwhile, progressive family farm leaders championing real policy reform suggest substantive reform through devices such as farmer owned grain reserves and supply management. Of course, Farm bureau with their massive investments in various agribusiness products benefits from overproduction even when their farmers suffer. 

To learn more about AFBF visit http://www.familyfarmer.org/sections/meet.html

To join a national GrassRoots call for an investigation into the Farm Bureau visit: http://www.defenders.org/rural3.html