I may do this regardless of Congressional action. I think there is a local market for grass fed "baby" beef.

To make things even more confusing, WaPo had this story on Friday which claims that the Bush administration is thinking of cutting subsidies and asking the EU to do the same.

So first we sign the farm bill, then we take it all back -- I don't get it.

I'm getting a little tired of you two stooges spouting this un-American talk. I'm reporting you both to the FBI. ;)

There are growing local markets in the US for good, natural food. Go Griffs go. And I'm thinking that the net can help make marketing workable for small, even isolated operations. That, and farmers markets, local restaurants, grocery stores, Co-ops that focus locally produced, healthier foods. It seems people are growing more willing to spend a higher percentage of their income for good food.

I know a local family that took on sheep farming about 5 years ago, now getting aclaim for their amazing cave-aged sheeps milk cheeses. Hard work, but they love it- they need to think about what size of an operation is big enough. And their efforts have had a tremendous effect on the local farm economy. And they do sell to shee shee restaurants, but its basically affordable peasant food.

I dont pretend to grasp the tangle that is gov't subsidized agribusiness and international trade, although I'll keep trying. Seems like it could be simplified- smaller scale farms raising diverse, regionaly specific things that are consumed in a regular, seasonal cycle. There are amazing tasting crops that are extinct or almost - varieties of peaches, apricots, plums, all having been replaced in most American experience with a lesser tasting, better traveling, and uniformly appearing version.

I do have my doubts about the advertising value of calling the critters baby anything... have to work on that.

Thanks for the notice Syc, I'll be sure to install a flag holder on my deck as soon as I'm done. note to self pick up copy of Lee Greenwoods album along with that imbecile with two first names

Is that Elton John or Celine Dion?

Tobie Keith.
Is Celine a first name?

Apparently, it is in the Francophone world. ;)