Task Force: Subsidies for Farms

Congratulations!

The National Farmers Union has recruited you to advocate for them through a proposal to the government about leftover farm products. Your goal is to preserve farmer jobs by implementing a government program. 

Why Are We Doing This?

In the United States, there are 2,042,220 farms, 31.5% of which on average receive government subsidies. A subsidy is defined as, “a form of financial aid or support extended to an economic sector generally with the aim of promoting economic and social policy.” Here, we ask you to advocate for governments to provide subsidies by paying for extra milk and farm products that are left over to ensure farmer job security. 

Steps

1. Research current programs offered by the U.S. to farms. Are there subsidies programs currently in place? What do they look like? What issues do farmers unions normally speak up about in the U.S.? How are they addressed? What percentage of farm products are leftover on average (nationally or by state)?
   1. Assuming you agree with the claim that governments should provide subsidies to farmers, what might that look like?
      1. How much should the government pay for extra farm products (be specific)?
      2. Will the programs differ by state, or be applied nationally? Why?
      3. How might you convince the government to invest in this program?
      4. What funds will be reallocated to provide for this program?
      5. What kinds of data/statistics might help you convince them to support this subsidy program?
   2. What are some reasons the government might NOT support the program? How might you refute them?
   3. Draft an email you might send to advocate for this program.
   4. Think further: What are some other issues farmers face in the United States? Are there programs in the status quo seeking to solve/address them? What do they look like? What might you change?
2. Think through the possible objections about your subsidy program that opposers might have.  
3. Share with the group and see if you can convince them that your subsidy program effectively aids farmers and preserves their jobs.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• You do not have to come up with an exhaustive list of procedures for your plan. It’s better to come up with a few requirements that you feel confident with and spend time thinking through possible objections to it.
• You don’t have to worry about answering all possible objections, but you should have some defense of why you think your reasons are more important.
• Your requirements should be things that governments could realistically implement.