Our latest stop: Tama, Iowa, where Barack is meeting with Iowa farmers to discuss agriculture policy at the Tama Rural Summit.
In conjunction with the Rural Summit, we convened an online virtual summit over the last few days. Anyone could come to our website and submit their ideas and concerns related to the three breakout sessions that summit participants have divided up into - agriculture, energy, and rural economic development and quality of life.The number issue that the agriculture breakout session identified -- caps on farm subsidies -- was submitted online via the virtual summit. Here's the question:
Many are unaware of how harmful the subsidies that go to Agribusiness are to those who live in developing countries. While subsidies may help Agribusiness in the short term, they pose significant threats to our long-term national interests. What is the best way to restructure agricultural subsidies so that they do not exacerbate poverty abroad, benefit small farmers and not Agribusiness, and reflect a commitment to developing renewable, domestic energy sources? Our domestic agricultural subsidies and priorities are a big part of our national security.
"This breakout session is particularly important," said Barack. "Many of us have concerns about the latest Farm Bill. I think we need a more aggressive cap on payments. I want to make sure I'm listening to all of you to get a strong sense of how you think our policy needs to be directed."
Among those who shared their concerns was Mr. Joe Lyon, who we met with yesterday.
After the summit, Barack met with Joe's wife, Norma "Duffy" Lyon, who presented Barack with the Butter O.
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