Group warns of Ag cuts

The threat of cuts in ag funding in Washington this week has one rural advocacy group on high alert. The Center for Rural Affairs sent out a notice to members and correspondents saying the Senate Agriculture Committee’s set to debate three-billion dollars worth of farm and rural budget-cuts Thursday. The Center warns the changes could cut funding for soil and water conservation, food and nutrition programs, and rural community development. The alternative would be a cap on how much any farm can get in federal subsidies. That’s what the center is urging people to recommend to their congressional delegations. Midwestern producers say “mega farms,” mainly in the south, get six-figure subsidies and limiting that would make farm dollars stretch a lot further.