How has farming changed during the last 20 years?

Klamath Falls Herald and News

August 10, 2007

This is a sample of comments from the Herald and News online survey.

·  I was forced out of the family farm because of the value of land was greater when put to other uses. We as a family could make more money by selling the farm and putting the money into a bank and living off the dividends without the wear and tear of the actual work of the farm. Sad but true.

·  Corporate farms provide bulk of food for the United States. Much produce and fruit comes from other countries.

·  Much wider use of machines, and technology has allowed comparable harvests with less manpower.

·  Ag has been devastated by dismal returns. It's likely that 75 percent of farmers in the Tulelake area have gone broke in last 15 years. Example: In 1947 my father sold barley for $97 per ton. In the last 20 years, I've sold barley from $63 to $78. I've grown none the past five years.

·  There is no farmland because it is being developed for people to live on.

·  Corporate farming for the sake of subsidies that the government has set up benefit a chosen few. It's just another scam for the sake of the 1-percenters.

·  More technologically advanced and it takes more income and assets to keep afloat.

·  Small family farms are being bought out by large conglomerates that can afford to suffer an occasional loss. Development in the urban areas has brought tougher environmental laws that also affect smaller farms.

·  Equipment for farming is very expensive, cost of farming is out of sight. A lot of people don't understand farming so they don't support it. Farming is the original industry and backbone of America.

·  Farmers are for the most part better educated, better at conservation and not as locally focused as before.

·  Land values have become too expensive. Overhead expenses are too high. There's volatility in the cattle market. People who really know cattle are fewer. It's just not as fun as it used to be.

·  There is less income, more expenses and less respect for the time and conditions of today's farmer.

Are you concerned about the future of family farms?

·  A good way of life is decreasing and with the decrease the strong family values are less of a strength to our country. God-fearing people are farmers and their decrease is a lessening of God-fearing ways in our country as a whole.

·  There is a huge market for organic products so if more farmers start to grow organic foods, they will prosper.

·  Our recent experiences with imported food and products points out the serious pitfalls of relying on foreign nations for our basic necessities.

·  Those who specialize will survive; those trapped into the same old crops will continue to suffer or fail completely.

·  There is so much outside interference and special interests. While we're producing the products civilization needs to survive, a large percentage of people in urban areas - ”the people who depend on us the most - are the people who give us the most grief.

·  Big business may be able to grow the food we need, but they are absent from supporting the communities. Most of the farms in Klamath County have been in families for generations and it's just a shame people can't make a living doing what they love.

·  We live in a capitalist society. If the family farm can compete, good, if not, then as all inefficient entities, they must perish.

·  I think everyone should be concerned if they value family farms. Most family farms are small and it is impossible to make a sufficient living to maintain the farm, the equipment and care for the family.

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Source:  http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2007/08/10/viewpoints/viewpoints/views.txt