Whats in a name? The answer is everything! A “Name” includes someones or somethings reputation, personality, perspective, etc etc. For instance, if you go to purchase a Chevy, Ford or another brand of Truck, you expect to get a quality Truck. When you visit your local cafe you expect to sit down to a good meal. When you hear the words “Farm Bill” in the media or elsewhere it would be logical to expect the bill to revolve around Farming, Right? Wrong. Let me explain:
As you can see in this chart, the “Farm Bill” mainly consists of government funding for Food stamps. 80% of it to be exact, which translates to 82 billion (with a B) dollars!
So if 80% of the “Farm Bill” doesn’t go to “Farm” purposes then the other 20% must right? Wrong again.
Of the 20% of the “Farm Bill” funding left after Food Stamp funding is removed, another 6% is taken out for Conservation purposes.
So we started with a “Farm Bill”, removed 80% of it to cover non farm costs, in the form of food stamps, then removed another 6% for Conservation. This leaves a mere 14% of the initial “Farm Bill” to actually be put to use on Americas Farms to increase our nations food security.
Where do the truth in advertising laws kick in here? If you bought that Truck from above, and 86% of it turned out to be a Car you may not be too satisfied. If you went to that cafe and realized 86% of it was a bar, you may be disappointed. So why is the “Farm Bill” still named the Farm Bill? Well, its simple, it always has been and probably always will be, even if its incorrect.
If you had the chance to rename the “Farm Bill” what would it be?
(Leave your comment below)
Thank you for reading, and God Bless!
The Farmer's Story 