Question 3

Question 3:

What do you think of the current system of agriculture subsidies in the U.S.?

Total Number of Submissions: 19

Results:

Interviewee had a positive view of the current system of agriculture subsidies in the U.S.
8/19

Interviewee had a negative view of the current system of agriculture subsidies in the U.S.
3/19

Interviewee had a mixed view of the current system of agriculture
6/19

Interview was unfamiliar with the current system of agriculture
2/19

Did not include biographical data (gender, age, education, job) of interviewee.
0/19

Interviewer accessed someone from inside the farm community.
17/19

Interviewer accessed someone from outside the farm community.
2/19

Who benefits the most from the current system?

Large Scale or Corporate Farmers:
5/19

Small Farms:
3/19

Consumers:
4/19

Uncertain who benefits:
2/19

What would happen in subsidies were eliminated?

It would have an overall positive impact:
2/19

It would have an overall negative impact:
11/19

Uncertain what type of impact it would have:
1/19

If you could change the current system, how would you change it?

Would change system to benefit small farmers more
6/19

Increase education and understanding about the purpose of subsidies:
5/19

Eliminate Subsidies:
1/19

Would not change the system:
1/19

Some quotes:

1.
Farmer: "The new program is pretty confusing. The country offices didn't know the details about the ACRE program and still can't answer all my questions."

Farmer: "It is getting better now for small farms due to the increase in subsidies available for things."

State of Illinois Employee: " I think the current system of agricultural subsidies helps but there is never going to be enough, farmers on small scale scale will never be able to show large profits, but only get them through the year."

Retired Farmer/Landlord: "The subsidies have both pros and cons. I don't like them in the sense that they are controlled harshly and strictly bu the government, and the price is pretty much locked in stone."

Teacher: They [agricultural subsidies]are like a double-edged sword because on one hand they are useful and necessary but on the other hand can bring about manipulation of the government and large corporate farms."

Farmer: "I think too much goes towards conservation and wildlife and I don't like their 'new Acre' Program."

Farmer: "Programs like ACRE are much better than the programs of the past.

2.Who benefits the most from the current system?

"I would say that the consumers benefit more from the current system than farmers because our food prices stay down due to the system."

"Non-for-profit organizations and corporate farms. It is difficult for individuals to get subsidies."

"The least efficient producer."

"All farmers benefit from the current system."

"Big farmers are benefiting the most from the subsidies."

3.What would happen in subsidies were eliminated?

"More farmers could expand and get bigger."

"It wouldn't make that big of a difference."

"It would hurt the small farmer and the big farmer wouldn't be effected too much."

"Farmers would go bankrupt."

"The short-term effect would be inflation in food prices and other products made from corn and soybeans...that would cause a lot of small farms to fail."

4.If you could change the current system, how would you change it?

"Feels that other countries don't like our subsidies."

"Nothing, because it is working now."

"More education on what is available and how to receive the subsidies."

"Make it easier to understand and helps the smaller farmers."

"Find ways where small farms in the future are not dependent on the government."

"Eliminate subsidies to expand productivity and adaptability."

"If I had to change something it would probably ensure that farmers consistently got a fair and profitable price on sale of crops."