Comments on: FAMILY FARMING

By: Kathy K

Kathy K — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Heh. The few blacksmiths and cobblers still left around command pretty outrageous fees now, too. My town has some cobblestone (expensive to even repair), and I once asked a blacksmith how much he would charge to make me a sword to specs (Bill Gates could probably afford one).

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Heh. See: free markets work ;) The supply went down to meet demand and now the ones left can make a nice living. Imagine if all the families who used to be in those businesses were all waiting to make swords for those who wanted one! They've be $2 each.

By: craig henry

craig henry — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

The existing farm subsidies have biased the system to such an extent that "family farm" is frequently a misnomer. They are highly leveraged businesses that also dabble in land speculation. Cheap money and targeted benefits encourage some farmers to expand-- and bailouts then save them if they misjudge the economics related to scale.

OTOH.... the large agri-businesses receive many of the same benefits. So i'm not certain a pure free market in agriculture will mean total consolidation.

By: Admiral Quixote

Admiral Quixote — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Nice post, I agree. The free market is not alway nice (especially when you are trying to compete against economies of scale), but it is better than wasting tax money that could be better used elsewhere.

Of course, I think most government subsidies should be ended.

By: Martha

Martha — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Production or even gathering of food, a life necessity if you remember, is a skill that is lost to most of the population in U.S. That is the biggest danger of agribusiness. I am not a survivalist, but a pragmatist. You mention niche crops as an aside, but that is the future of family farms. They make a good living around here - selling free range chickens for $6 instead of Tyson's $2 - but only if you order in advance and pick it up on the day designated. Healthy food, healthy profits and food production knowledge is retained locally.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Martha, I agree on niche farming. I didn't mean it as a derogatory term. Just as mom and pop can't compete with Wal-Mart on the sale of tube socks, Wal-Mart can't compete with mom and pop on the sale of fine clothing or other businesses that require tailoring complicated things to the needs of specific individuals. So, rather than whine about Wal-Mart, entreprenueurs have to fill a niche that Wal-Mart can't. Ditto farmers. I also agree that most people can't grow their own food very efficiently. That's the nature of specialization. But I'm not worried that Tyson's is going to refuse to sell me chicken or that Del Monte is going to cut off my green bean supply.

By: cut on the bias

cut on the bias — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Happiness is... A Carnival! (of Vanities, that is) I'm delighted to be hosting this week's Carnival of the Vanities, where we can see the Best of Blogs for

By: cut on the bias

cut on the bias — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Happiness is... A Carnival! (of Vanities, that is) I'm delighted to be hosting this week's Carnival of the Vanities, where we can see the Best of Blogs for ---