In response to the editorial about farm subsidy cuts being a good thing (“Farm subsidies can be a good thing, Feb. 9), obviously the writer has no idea the impact of subsidies have on a farming operation. True, the United States is the only country in the world with government help for farmers, and some countries frown upon that. If there were no subsidies to the farmers, you have to realize that a gallon of milk you pay $2.13 for at your local grocery store would probably cost about $6. Subsidies help keep prices stable and keep food manufacturers from buying other country’s crops, keeping the U.S. farming industry strong. If the government cut subsidies and the farming economy fell, we would be at the mercy of other countries for our food. What good is that?

What does this extra money do for the farmers, you might ask? It goes back into the farming operation. Not to go buy new cars or fancy houses, but rather to develop better practices on the farm dealing with environmental issues. It goes toward building terraces, waterways and buffer strips to control erosion. It also buys new machinery to help farmers keep up with new technology and be more efficient. These subsidies promote agriculture; they don’t harm foreign relations. The United States is one of the top agricultural powerhouses of the world. Why should we punish farmers and consumers for that?

Joe Ruhland

Junior

Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering