File this under “penny wise and pound foolish.” Like our entire system of producing food.
Here is an excerpt from the latest action memo from my colleagues at Root of Change:
The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee recently adopted a government funding bill that if passed would turn back decades of progress to achieve a more sustainable and just food and farming system. This 2012 bill makes a second round of steep cuts to conservation, extension, research, renewable energy, and rural development programs. And just like in fiscal year 2011, none of the cuts are directed at crop subsidies, the largest federal agricultural spending item. The bill takes a total of $2.7 billion out of the food and agriculture budget.
For the entire memo including details of what is at risk please read this, then ACT.