WASHINGTON, D.C. - The
Interreligious Taskforce on US
Food Policy, a cooperative effort
of 27 national Protestant, Catholic,
Jewish, and ecumenical agencies,
recently voiced its support for new
legislation to focus federal farm
program benefits on small and
moderate-sized family farms in
testimony before the Agriculture
Committee of the House of
Representatives.
Complementary program
changes to reduce incentives for
investment in farmland by non
farm interest were also endorsed.
Noting a disparity between
policy goals and policy design and
implementation, the Rev. George
A. Chauncey, chair of the Task
force, observed that, “In 1977,
Congress reaffirmed its intention
‘to foster and encourage the family
farm system of agriculture,’ yet
the working of current tax rules
and commodity and credit
programs virtually assure the
steady decline of that system ”
In its latest position paper, “US
Family Farm Policy Substance or
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Religious coalition urges farm law changes
Rhetoric?,” the Taskforce directs
its attention to the reauthonzation
of the major farm programs in the
omnibus food and agriculture bill
now before the House and Senate
Agriculture Committees.
The Taskforce recommends that
new commodity program
legislation make possible equitable
returns to labor and investment
but limit price support to a suf
ficient volume of production to
yield a labor and management
income for each producing family
equal to median family income or
some other specified level.
Nonfann investors, whether
individual or corporate, should be
ineligible for program benefits,
according to the Taskforce.
The position paper includes a
report from “An Interrehgous
Conference on Public Policy and
the Structure of Agriculture” held
last December, That group of 100
persons from 13 denominations
and five ecumenical organizations
agreed on a definition of family
farms limited to those which
combine risk-bearing,
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management, and a majority of
farm’s labor within the members
ot Uie operating t dimly.
The conference endorsed
changes in public policy which
would actively encourage an
agriculture based primarily on
small and moderate-sized family
farms.
Don Reeves, a Nebraska farmer
employed as a consultant by the
Taskforce, pointed out that the
Taskforce position both echoes and
builds upon a major finding of the
recent USDA study on the struc
ture of agriculture.
The final document of that study,
entitled A Time To Choose, con
cludes that virtually all ef
ficiencies of size are reached on
moderate-sized farms and that
existing policies and programs
which encourage further ex
pansion and/or nonfann in
vestment are both inflationary and
an inefficient use of resources.
The report calls for an end to
federal subsidies “which en
courage and even reward the
acquisition and holding of far-
Contact
mland in quantities beyond that
necessary for an efficient-sized
production unit.”
Reeves also called attention to a
recent study on agricultural land
ownership and community
structure in California’s Central
Valley. That study showed that
declining rural communities are
regularly associated with a
predominance of large farms in
the surrounding area, and even
more closely correlated with ex
tensive absentee ownership.
The Taskforce has called on
Congress to mandate a new
research initiative to further ex
plore the relationship between the
Keystone Grange
reports activities
TEAPPE Keystone Grange
has been busy with activities,
awards & programs.
State Master Charles E. Wismer
keeps members informed about
new happenings m Harrisburg.
The grange is offering a full line of
insurance to its members, local
agent is Robert Gutshall,
Collegeville. Also a food service is
to begin shortly.
The members enjoyed a dues
paying covered dish dinner and. a
recipe auction followed of favorite
dishes. Top recipe sold for $1.55.
The ways and means committee,
headed by Mr. & Mrs, Wm. Gott
shall have had an active schedule
preparing & serving dinners to
various organizations and
families.
Flowers and fruit are taken to
sick and shut-ins by Mrs. Fred
Rich. A new baby girl bom to Mr.
and Mrs. Mark Bullard of the
Dewee’s Tavern, was welcomed.
A group of active grangers
headed by Walter Sauer, Fred
Rich & Paul Dreibelbis
redecorated the downstairs front
apt. It is now occupied. Many
Mt. Joy, PA 17552
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 21,1981—07
structure of agriculture and the
vitality of rural communities, in
diverse regions and for various
types of farming.
Concluded Reeves, “Our
' nation’s agricultural system,
based primarily on resident family
farms of modest size, has served
us very well. It has proven ex
tremely productive and con
tributes a great deal to the life of
many rural communities.
“We can find no justification for
policies for programs which even
inadvertently encourage or sub
sidize concentrated or absentee
ownership of farmland. ”
hours of work were put in on a
voluntary basis.
A Valentine program was
presented in February along with a
hobby night presented by Ms.
Johanna Shetler Dr & Mrs. John
Shetler of Trappe gave an in
teresting Biblical slide show &
lesson of Jesus’ homeland.
Eleven new members were
accepted.
The annual sewing & stuffed toy
contest is in progress; anyone can
enter. Call Mrs. Charlotte Rosser
for info.
State Deputy Elmer Funk
presented Mrs. Charlotte Rosser
with a Women’s Activity Award.
Member Mrs. Lois Stringer, a
Plant Breeder with the Burpee
Seed Co., appeared on location at
the flower show via the AM Phila.
TV Show.
Refreshments were served by
Ann Schrack, Charlotte Rosser,
Rita Bryosteh & Dot Reed.
A St. Patrick’s and Anniversary
program was held March 17.
Grange meets first and third
Tuesdays during Lent.
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