Tom Harkin: “I thank my friend, because we hear a lot about that: ``Wouldn't it be better to have a few large farmers out there…”

“I thank my friend, because we hear a lot about that: ``Wouldn't it be better to have a few large farmers out there rather than all these family farmers?'' There are a lot of ways to answer that question. First, a strong, healthy rural America is better in terms of the impact of unemployment in our cities, where people from farms are forced off, they come into the cities. It causes more urban congestion and all of the expenses that causes for people who live in our larger cities. You can look at it that way. Secondly, you can look at it from the standpoint of a stable, safe food supply. Why do I say that? Because it has been my experience that a family farmer who lives on that land, owns that land, and the children are raised there, and they go to the local schools, and they have a stake in their community--they are some of the best stewards we have for our land. So if you want to take care of the land for future generations and you want to protect the soil and the water, it is better to have a family farm system of agriculture than these big corporate conglomerates that maybe just hire someone or rent it out. It is like in housing. If you want people to take care of their houses, make them homeowners. That is why I have always been in favor of housing subsidies and getting more housing for low-income people. They will take care of it. They have a stake in it. They have equity in it. That is true with our family farmers, too.…”