6/15/2001 | The Weekend View | by Bob Coffman
A commentary.
Farm activist groups are gaining in numbers as general angst spreads through agriculture. There is a new divisive mood crawling like kudzu into every nook and cranny of a stressed industry.
Holy smokes! We had no idea so many special interest groups had so many causes in agriculture! Sure, we knew times are tough down on the farm; sure we know a growing number of farmers feel dis-enfranchised from the process. Sure, we know there is a growing list of contentious and divisive issues pelting agriculture. Sure, we know there is a growing sense of "us versus them" on the land. Sure, we know the distrust and animosity toward increasing regulations and environmental preferences.
But, it just had not hit us like it did this week when an activist group made its anger known to key politicians, with a signatory list of agencies that felt the same way about the matter.
That list totaled 161 different special-interest groups, many of them best classified as grassroot activists or populist groups. Some local; some regional or even national in constituency. All well intended.
And, that list does not even include what are normally thought of as mainstream farm organizations or commodity groups or associations looking out for the good and welfare of the diverse agri-business or agri-processing communities. And, it does not take into account the political action committees who grease the squeaky joints in agriculture.
This has become an age of special interests and class action suits and lawsuits of every stripe in pursuit of justice for one cause or another. Agriculture has its share; and the babble is everywhere.
The rising tide of special interest groups in agriculture speaks volumes about the divisive nature of big versus small; mega-operations versus the small "independent" farmer or rancher. The clamoring debate again fogs over the very definition of "small" or family" or "independent" farm operations. And there is a rising emotion of injustice.
We are seeing a "pitchfork brigade" growing in ranks and becoming increasingly vocal and yes, even influential. In the past week, opponents of the way the national pork checkoff referendum mess was handled, got prominent display in the New York Times, while down-home opposition to a controversial nominee to a USDA post got ink in the Washington Post.
Such small but noisy groups have learned well how the media game is played. They are not beyond picketing the residence of the Secretary of Agriculture. Such grassroots groups have learned how things like a "Bucket Brigade" (staged in Oregon) or the "Log Haul" (in Montana) makes good television. So far, protests have been less destructive or violent than the hog shootings and milk dumpings of the 60s.
Is this all about good television rather than good policy? Or is this the American way to redress bad policy? Wasn't that what the farmer-led Whiskey Rebellion was all about?
We just think this is going to make very interesting theatre through the next Farm Bill Debate, through upcoming environmental debates; and through the next election cycle. The armies are gaining ranks-on all sides.37057:
