I era to international dominance by the 1960s due to the technological revolution in agriculture. Farm policy devolved into ways of cleaning up the mess, of making the best of a bad situation, and of convincing people that the wreckage lying before them was all for the better. It set out to more completely level the playing field for farmers. But if the government's goal was to strengthen the farm sector, it set out to level the wrong playing field. Meanwhile, the multinational processors and input suppliers went on about their business of mergers and acquisitions in an all-out effort to become less competitive.
Competition lowers profits, while economic concentration has the opposite effect.
A new approach is needed if the public chooses to continue its long-standing commitment to the independent family farmer, Levins warns. A powerful trade association of family farmers could bargain with Congress, state governments, suppliers and processors. State governments to implement favorable tax provisions for family farmers. Suppliers for the kinds of inputs that meet the requirements of small family farmers. Handlers and processors to find new market outlets and buyers for products of the family farm.