Section 3.1 - Q3 - What Does Project 2025 Say?

“A recent USDA-created program captures both the disrespect for American farmers and the Biden Administration’s effort to dictate agricultural practices. The USDA explained that it was concerned with farmers not transitioning to organic farming, and therefore announced that it will dedicate $300 million to induce farmers to adopt organic farming. There was no recognition that farmers know how to farm better than D.C. politicians or a that organic food is expensive and land-intensive. The Biden Administration has also been pushing so-called “climate-smart” agricultural practices which received additional support in the partisan Inflation Reduction Act.”

Citation: Project 2025, Section 3.1: Department of Agriculture, Daren Bakst, pages 324 and 325

Context:

How is providing incentives to participate in a voluntary program an act of “disrespect” to farmers? Framing this as “dictating” is completely disingenuous and inflammatory. “There was no recognition that farmers know how to farm better than D.C. politicians.” And why should there be? That seems like an obvious point. Should there have been recognition on the farmers’ parts that D.C. politicians are likely to be better at addressing broader challenges like sustainability, climate resilience, or public health?

Bakst’s statement here reflects nothing more than anti-government intervention rhetoric and totally fails to recognize the broader challenges that the agricultural sector faces. A more balanced approach would acknowledge the need for both farmer autonomy and government support to promote sustainable, resilient, and economically viable farming practices.

Full contextual analysis of Section 3.1: Department of Agriculture here.

Section: Section 3.1: Department of Agriculture

Categories: Deregulation, Farmers