It is important to not confuse wanting to feed the world with wanting the world to be fed. We are seeking exports to help with the balance of payments and to make money, but that is different than the egalitarian notion of wanting the world to be fed. Problems of hunger and poverty are complex and beyond the current discussion but the argument that we need to continue along the path that is getting rid of farmers so that the world can be fed is without merit. We need to keep in mind that agricultural policy covers more than production. How a society feeds itself and utilizes its natural resources determines how long it will survive.
Agriculture involves both the production and the culture.
Environmental quality, quality of life in rural communities, and quality of food are just part of the concerns for agricultural policy makers. There needs to be better information on the extent and nature of family farms in agricultural production. But it is more important to get better information on the extent, nature, and consequences of the concentration all along the food chain from the field to the table. Finally, I think it is very important not to merely start a new program for small farms. Size considerations and social responsibility needs to be built into all USDA programs.