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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Students in Washington to Call for “Common Sense Farm Reform”

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Friday, September 21, 2007   

Eden Prairie, MN - College students from around the country have joined farmers in a national "fly-in." They've gathered in the nation's capital this week to share their concerns and questions about the future of American agriculture.

The students' visit is sponsored by Oxfam, an international relief and development organization. Minnesota spokesman Lou Hille says it's part of an effort for "common sense reform" in the new U.S. Farm Bill being hammered out in Congress.

"The main message is support of Farm Bill reform that reduces commodity payments that lead to overproduction -- which, in turn, leads to surplus commodities on the world market."

Hille explains these surpluses hurt the business prospects of many small farmers nationwide, as well as depressing prices for commodities worldwide. He believes the Farm Bill should support a strong, diverse farm economy of large and small farms, that can produce food at affordable prices. He adds an underlying problem with the nation's current farm policy is that it's so closely tied to production -- the more a farm produces, the higher the government subsidy it receives. He doesn't believe that results in a level playing field.

"When it's tied to production, it favors the big producers. The plan leaves out minority farmers. It leaves out some diversity, and that tends to focus production on those major commodities. It also leaves gaps in conservation issues, in rural issues, and so on."

Hille says the inclusion of students in the "Washington Fly-In" helps them see how government works firsthand, and realize that their opinions can make a difference. He's listened to them telling lawmakers that the current farm subsidy program is "out of whack" -- that the top Minnesota subsidy recipients receive more than $12 million each, while the smaller producers get $5,000. When small farms make up 80 percent of the state's farm industry, Hille agrees with the students: the program doesn't make sense.

To learn more about the goals of the "Fly-In," visit www.oxfamamerica.org.


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