Speaking of subsidies, I heartily recommend that everyone who farms, or
eats for that matter, should read Michael Pollan's new book, "The
omnivore's dilemma". He makes some sense, if you can call it that, out
of how corn subsidies have pervaded the US economy, and how
supply-driven food production has ruined animal and human health.
Anyway, regarding the continuing existence of farming in a post-subsidy
economy, I've got a fact to share: Bobolink Dairy proudly attests to an
energy cost of 1.2% of gross: that is, for every dollar spent on our
cheese at a farmer's market, we spend 1.2 cents on fossil fuel,
including driving to and from the market! I doubt that any of the
national brands of so-called organic products are less than 30%. We
acheive this by feeding zero grain, growing nothing but grass and
clover, and having the cows do most of the field work. It helps of
course that we're selling a premium product, but the big point is, we'll
still be farming when the subsidies end, or more to the point, when the
oil runs out.
--
Jonathan & Nina White, cheesemakers
Bobolink Dairy & Bakeyard
Vernon, NJ USA
please visit us at <http://www.cowsoutside.com>
