How to Keep Them Down on the Farm

I agree that Agriculture is an important Cabinet post but take issue with some of the points made in your editorial (“New Farmer in Chief,” Dec. 6). Third World countries may be drowning in a flood of subsidies, but what about small farmers here in the U.S.? Many consider farming a hobby now and get a “real” job on the side to pay bills. A smart agriculture policy would provide incentives for small-scale operations to keep farming rather than selling out to developers. The editorial also states that the U.S. needs “vigorous rules” for labeling organic foods, but many organic farmers are already having trouble keeping up with the bureaucratic requirements of the USDA organic standards. Burdensome and expensive standards only benefit large operations practicing industrial agriculture that have the time and money to meet the requirements. Smaller producers are much better served by the state or county certifications that rely more on personal relationships.

Brad Sanders

San Francisco