- Social:
National Farmers Union
President of the National Farmers Union, an advocacy group for family farmers and ranchers based in Washington, DC; former Agriculture Commissioner of North Dakota
PROFILE
Roger Johnson
Guest
FROM Roger Johnson
To the Point
The Farm Bill and America's Food Supply The Farm Bill dates back to the Great Depression, when family farms were in trouble and many Americans could not afford what they needed to eat. It gives taxpayer support to a huge range of Americans, from the poor who survive on food stamps to wealthy farmers insured against losses. New versions have passed roughly every five years on a bipartisan basis, but the latest effort is more evidence that there is no bipartisanship any more. Republicans in the House and Democrats in the Senate have passed different versions, and compromise may fall victim to competing interests and ideologies. A conference committee with 41 members from both sides is meeting behind closed doors to work out a compromise. If there's no agreement, farm policy could revert back to 1938, driving an increase in the price of some foods.
Which Way, L.A.?
The High Price of Cheap Food Horror stories about America's food industry go back to Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle , published in 1906. The current issue of Time magazine concludes that some things have improved a lot in the past 103 years…but that others have gotten worse.
To the Point
Is the Ag Industry Making Us Fat and Damaging the Environment? Horror stories about America's food industry go back to Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle , published in 1906. The current issue of Time magazine concludes that some things have improved a lot in the past 103 years, but that others have gotten worse.
Recommended
The 805
Implicit bias training discriminates against white people, anonymous parents say Author Pico Iyer returns to Santa Barbara to preview his upcoming speaker series. Columnist Starshine Roshell brings us inside the surprisingly large world of local trivia nights. And more controversy at the Santa Barbara Unified School District, as a group of anonymous parents threatens to sue school leaders over an implicit bias training program it claims discriminates against white people.
Left, Right & Center
Left, Right & Center Live: Decisions, Decisions A special live broadcast of Left, Right & Center from INFORUM at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco
To the Point
The Kavanaugh Factor and the Midterm Elections Republicans have secured their long-term goal: a right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. There are conflicting expectations for rulings on abortion, immigration, voting rights--and the powers of both the White House and Congress. In this divided nation, public trust in the rule of law is also at stake. How will the bitter battle over Brett Kavanaugh impact next month’s midterm elections?