The farm bill that Congress cobbles together every five years or so has more effect on the nation's land and water than most environmental bills. Farmers, ranchers, and private foresters own more than half of the country's open land.
The farm bill could promote wise use of this resource and limit the amount of petroleum-based fertilizer and pesticides that end up in the country's waterways. Or the bill can encourage the overproduction of crops ...
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I'm something of an "insider" on this issue, since I've been a volunteer op-ed writer for OxfamAmerica and have lobbied my Congressional delegation on the issue as well. The editorial is based on sound information, though sources are not cited (which is quite normal for an editorial). The facts are correct; plenty more could be said, but the writer accurately summarizes the issue. It should be added that the bill works directly against the "localvore" movement by (literally) starving local-food initiatives.
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