Thursday, November 17, 2011
Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery
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Thursday, November 17, 2011 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery |
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OpinionFielder’s Choice Progress here, near Good things are happening – at home and down the road. I will mention a few. The change on West Woodward Avenue in Holly Springs is drastic. Close to Nowhere Car troubles and woes It’s my own fault. For years, especially the last couple, I’ve bragged on my car -- never had a minute’s trouble with it! I was just asking for it! Recently I had to have the starter replaced. Not too bad a problem, only a couple hours in the shop. Then, the last time I had my oil changed, my car had a “trouble.” Wyatt’s World Feds going whole hog on building binge I was reading the McComb Enterprise-Journal when I noticed a photo of a nice new building under construction. That’s great, I thought. I wonder what new business is expanding?
Letter To The Editor Farm Bill Congress is now working to write a new Farm Bill, legislation that will ultimately affect every American. Today, agriculture is directly responsible for one out of every 12 jobs in the U.S., but the impact of the new Farm Bill will not be limited to the individuals who hold those jobs, their families and others who benefit from the “ripple effect.” Americans today spend, on average, about 6 to 7 cents out of every dollar of earned income on food –– far less than most people around the world and most people historically. Relatively inexpensive and abundant food gives all of us the freedom and flexibility to spend or invest in other parts of the economy. In writing the new Farm Bill, Congress must look for ways to do more with less. They need to simplify programs and find innovative solutions to future challenges, while still making targeted investments to keep agriculture productive and rural communities vibrant. Congress should focus on the same three core principles that have contributed to the past success of the American farmer: maintaining a strong safety net, supporting sustainable productivity and promoting vibrant markets. In a business as risky as agriculture, a strong safety net can keep high input costs compounded by natural disasters from putting farm families out of business and jeopardizing our future food supply. The safety net should provide assistance to producers of all types and sizes when they need it – and only when they need it. The existing programs that comprise the safety net need to change. As Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated recently, “The programs that comprise the safety net have got to be simple and understandable. Programs shouldn’t discourage farmers from applying, they shouldn’t be too costly to attain, or too slow to matter.... Congress has a tremendous opportunity to make sure the safety net works for all of our producers, and it’s extremely important that they get it right.” At the same time farmers, ranchers and growers must be able to produce an affordable, quality product year after year. That means continuing investments in research to maintain our farmers’ leadership as the most productive in the world and investing in conservation to support healthy, productive soil and a clean, plentiful water supply. Finally, the Farm Bill should continue to promote vibrant, fair and diverse markets – at home and abroad – for farmers, ranchers and growers of all types and sizes. We should continue efforts to expand markets for “Grown in America” goods abroad, which supported more than 1 million American jobs this year. At the same time, we should look to expand opportunities here at home for producers interested in local and regional markets. And the Farm Bill legislation must address the needs of rural America, as well as to encourage the farmers of the future. In part, that means making it easier for people to access USDA support, ensuring that emerging rural businesses have the capital they need to grow and create jobs, and investing in rural communities and infrastructure. Today, the future for American agriculture is bright. It is my hope that the new Farm Bill will help move our nation and our economy forward by meeting the needs of the agricultural sector while being accountable and justifiable to the 98 percent of Americans who do not farm. It is my hope that it will support rural communities and build on the incredible success, productivity and strength of American agriculture. Sincerely, Hometown Heroes Please take time to remember our local “heroes,” who are serving in war zones around the world. Susan Ash, Navy, Middle EastImmanuel Betts, Marines, 2nd tour, Afghanistan Chad Bowman, Afghanistan Houston Brimmage, National Guard, Iraq Frederick D. Brown, Army, Afghanistan Shanika Buffington, National Guard, Iraq B.J. Butler, Army Wesley Crutcher II, Afghanistan John Davis, Army, Iraq John Westley Day, National Guard, Iraq Michael Dunworth, Navy, Iraq LaCourtney Ellis, Army, Afghanistan Tiffany Erwin, Army, Afghanistan, now in Iraq Charles Fairbairn, Army, Iraq; now in Afghanistan Wayne Gowland, Army, Iraq Jarod Grimes, Army, Iraq Jorty “Bubba” Holmes, Army, Iraq Lee (Brandon) Hutchens, Marines, Iraq Sammie Ivy, National Guard, Iraq Jason Janicki, Army, Iraq Robert Jordan Jr., Army, Iraq Scott King, Navy, Afghanistan LaVandes Lester, Marines, Iraq James Light, Army, Afghanistan Sale T. Lilly IV, Navy, Afghanistan Antione McNeil, Army, Iraq Victor Miller, Army, Iraq Chad Minor, Air Force Will Olita, Navy, Arabian Sea (Afghanistan) Chadwick (Chad) Phillips, Army, 2nd tour, Iraq Scott Poff, National Guard, 2nd tour, Iraq Deron Randolph, Marines, Iraq Darryl Wayne Ricks, National Guard, Iraq Justin Sanders, Army, Iraq Cody Sanderson, Air Force, Iraq Willie E. Snow Jr., Navy, Afghanistan Mitch Swann, Army, Iraq Candace L. White, Army, Afghanistan Landon Tucker, National Guard, 2nd tour, Iraq Chauncy Turnage, Army, 2nd tour, Iraq Supporting Our Troops If you’d like to add a name to this list, please contact The South Reporter, Attn. Linda Jones, P.O. Box 278, Holly Springs, MS 38635; 662-252-4261; or email: southreporter@dixie-net.com |
     
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