Rodney Michael

I also like the agendas that are proposed, but hope to see that our USDA is also setting realistic expectations. Specifically, Earl Butz is derided for many things related to corporate farming, however, because of his economies of scale policies we in America pay an average of 11% of our income for food while the rest of the world pays about 20% (at least the last time I checked the data). As we shift towards more diversified and smaller farms, food processing will rise correspondingly due to the removal of many economies of scale. Again, I'm for this diversification, but am so knowing the consequences. I'm not so sure that folks in more urban dense areas who are also voting for these policies are aware of what they are asking for. My fear: if we fail to set realistic expectations, once policies are established and they see the costs of consolidating more, smaller diversified farms and delivering into cities (and the added costs this will incur), any gains may be lost the following voting cycle. Going from 11% to 20% is nearly a 100% increase. Add to that the added tax burdens of the additional increases and we can see one why approximately 40% of French retirees and unemployed grow a certain portion of the own vegetables (this data from a Monty Don video - Ha!).

Interesting. Is there a recording of the Q&A posted anywhere?