Farm Bill: Fab or Foul?

Every five years an issue comes around that affects not only every child, woman and man in the U.S., but also nonhuman animals, our environment, and people around the world. The Farm Bill. The subject of much controversy and debate, the U.S. Senate and House recently passed the $307 billion bipartisan Farm Bill, overriding President Bush’s veto.

Some call the bill a “fiscal nightmare” and a “bloatfest” because of funding for special interests and increased subsidies to wealthy farmers and for crops that are already seeing record profits. Others laud the bill because of significant increases in funding anti-hunger programs, in supporting fresh fruits and vegetables, in supporting conservation, and in making small strides for animal protection. And many say, well, "it's a step in the right direction."

The passage of the bill – and the subsequent cheers and jeers -- provide an excellent opportunity for teachers and humane educators to bring the Farm Bill (officially called the "Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008") to your high school, college and adult students and engage them in thinking critically about the ways in which the Farm Bill affects people, animals, the environment, and others around the globe.

The depth, complexity and scope of the Farm Bill provide numerous opportunities for exploring relevant issues with your students. Many people are surprised to discover that the Farm Bill involves legislation for more than just food. The bill also covers issues such as conservation, trade, nutrition, forestry, and even energy policy.

Getting students engaged in the issues could be as simple as having them read summaries of the Farm Bill and then discuss its strengths and weaknesses, or conducting a media browse and compiling a list of what are considered the pros and cons, and then weighing the strength of the arguments while critically exploring what those who express a strong opinion have to lose or gain by their position. You could also have them rewrite parts of the bill.

IHE also has several humane education activities in our Resources section that could serve as springboards for customizing your students' critical exploration of the Farm Bill. For example:

Be a C.R.I.T.I.C. - This activity helps students think critically as they examine information from different perspectives and sources.

Earth Court - Put the Farm Bill on trial and have students develop a solutions-based sentencing.

Executive Commission - Have students advise the President (or Congress) on how they should have acted on parts of (or the entire) the Farm Bill.

Greatest Impact - Have students explore the impact of different elements of the Farm Bill on people, animals and the environment (renewable energy, subsidies for different crops, etc.).

Many Colors - Have students explore a variety of possible solutions to a problem, challenge or conflict within the bill.

The USDA has basic information about what the farm bill contains, cost estimates, proposals and more.

The Farm Bill affects everyone in the U.S., and many beyond. Since food, energy and the health of our natural world are basic to our survival, it seems a worthy choice to critically explore and understand how such choices will be made for at least the next five years.

~ Marsha, Web Content/Community Manager

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