Farm Policy: The Politics of Soil, Surpluses, and Subsidies

Scientific and technological advances made during the past century have revolutionized farming. Equipment, use of chemicals for pest control and fertilization, and the breeding of highly productive, disease-resistant plant varieties have made the American farmer the most productive in the world. Despite these impressive gains, the U.S. farm community has faced disruptive economic conditions. "Farm Policy: The Politics of Soil, Surpluses, and Subsidies" examines many of the problems of American agriculture, including some issues that are international in scope. Major questions such as government intervention, free market policies, export controls, and price-support subsidies are discussed. The book examines the use of migrant farm labor, the persistent threat of soil erosion on global food production, and controversial methods of pesticide control. In addition, the book summarizes the history of farm politics and the development of U.S. agricultural policies, particularly since the Great Depression, and explains the Reagan administration's position on the growing problem of surpluses and subsidies.