Show nationwide nation wide family parm farm policy 1 6 by clarence J mccormick under secretary of agriculture some people have raised questions about the purpose of the ithe nationwide nation wide family farm policy review now being conducted by the department of agriculture in cooperation with farm and non tarm individuals and groups therefore I 1 would jike ike to explain this review and invite the cooperation of all interested persons many americans including myself believe that the family farm is the backbone backbone of our democracy they believe that the family fa farm pattern of agriculture is absolutely vital to the health prosperity and mil j ilary ar y d defense lf ens L 0 of f tb the e nation wily the department is reviewing all its programs and activities to make sure they are serving the family farm welland a t d to find out how haw they can serve it better the one and only purpose behind this review were just checking up on ourselves just as any business or industry might do from its very inception the he family farm policy review has been and isnow nothing more than a reappraisal and examination reexamination re of the authorized programs of the department to ascertain whether or not they are being utilized and proper properly lV constituted to best serve family fanning farn ang in the united states now what is a family farm its a farm that provides most of at the income for the family that lives on it and works it leaving out part time farms and other operations that are really farms in name only this definition covers about 98 percent of all the farms in the country this mean that 93 percent par cerit of the nations farms are now providing an adequate living for the families operating them it mean that their food clothing housing medical care recreational and educational facilities are on a par with those of city people of the same general skill and managerial ability it mean that all these farni farm families now have enough income to allow them to set aside savings so have retirement funds that compare with those of city people peaple an adequate living for families on family farm a goal to shoot at it would mean a stronger agriculture a m more vigorous nation a more vit vital democracy in the department of agri culture weve been asking ourselves in what respects are we doing a good job for the family farm how can the agencies improve their services within the law as ihnow stands are some services 7 needed that would require quire new legislative at authority old the department offices in washington Agton completed the their ir own survey of these questions last lasit spring but these questions need to be answered as widely as possible the views of the land grant colleges the farm organizations the various state and county groups interested in agriculture as well as church business civic and consumer groups are needed most of all this review needs the participation of as many individual farmers as possible this examination of programs and activities therefore is now going orf on in every state and county of the nation the american people are being asked to take a close look at all the farm programs and activities i using the family farm fann and its needs as a measuring stick the nation needs YOUR ideas your ideas of what measures are necessary to make the family farm as strong and productive as the national welfare and the world conflict between democracy and communism de mand strenge strengthening benini the family farni farm will bring about more effective use of manpower mandow er land animals J and equipment it will pay dividend in production in economy in ia efficiency and demoa democracy these discussions in in the counties communities and neighborhoods are going on right now new they are am an example of american democracy in its finest form with interested c citizens i t i rens con contributing t t i n g th their e ir ad a d v vice i c e 0 lo 10 o a an n agency a g e n c v 0 of f th their e ir 1 government that chit wants and steeds that advice the state and i cound county A agricultural i cultural mobilization committees monr have been given primary response res responsibility ib i lity bior for getting as wide discussion as possible these committees arle are explicitly directed to keep the discussion sion free and coplen an and d to report r A not r aki t hav only majority ity opinions P minoo itle b but 1 those of the minorities a as 5 w well e this h review does not of c course D U arse izeer keep anyone from expressing pr e sing h his is opinion through other chan channels nelsi such ai as individual organizations this is an additional channel 51 annel strengthening the family farm is a project for the whole people the family farm leads to agricultural progress it helps build healthy communities and healthy families it is today and it must rem remain dlin one of the pillars upon which the strength ot of the united states is based |