Letters

From the February 2002 issue

(Page 3 of 3)

Michael W. Lynch hardly gets started on the subject of government involvement in agriculture ("Money for Nothing," November). I do hope he is aware of the broader picture.

I have a small farm in western Oregon and work elsewhere full time. After 40 years, I have seen a lot. During that time, the government has always controlled agriculture to some degree, with the soil bank, set-asides, subsidies, incentives, land-use laws, quotas, etc. I was there when the government paid half our costs to drain wetlands to increase wheat production because Russia surprised them with a sudden, large wheat purchase, raising the price to $6 a bushel. The government put a stop to that, making the Russians space their purchases out and schedule them in advance. Wouldn't want the farmers to have a windfall year. Russia went elsewhere for wheat, looking for the best deal like anyone else.

I looked forward to the Freedom to Farm policy. I was tired of reporting to the government every acre I planted and where. I was tired of having to grow certain plants to maintain my allotment.

Land is zoned farm-use only. It can't be divided, built on, or used for anything else. One can get stuck going broke farming poor ground that can't be sold or used for anything else. Between wildlife overlays, scenic overlays, riparian overlays, permits, and the rest, there is no private property when it comes to agriculture.

Since the government controls the land and the prices to varying degrees, and won't allow the owner to make the best, most profitable use of his land, they can find themselves in a situation where they have to put the farmer on welfare to keep him alive.

James L. Werth
Grand Ronde, OR

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Reason is accepting applications for the 2002 Burton C. Gray Memorial Internship. The intern works 10 weeks during the summer in our Los Angeles office and receives housing, a stipend of $2,000, and up to $400 in travel expenses. The job includes reporting and writing for reason, helping with research, proofreading, and other tasks. Previous interns have gone on to work at The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and ABC News.

To apply, send your résumé, up to five writing samples, and a cover letter to Gray Internship, c/o Sara Rimensnyder, reason, 3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90034. The deadline is March 15, 2002.

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