Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Big Farms, Middle Farms, and Tax Dodges

Reported by NewsBuzz:

...farming in Wisconsin has become a feast or famine operation. Agriculture is still a top employer, accounting for a tenth of the state’s jobs. But the big farms are ranking in all the revenue and often gobbling up smaller farms. Mid-sized farms in particular are struggling to break even, while small “hobby” farms and organic farms are actually increasing. But the overall number of farms has been flat for a decade.

Yah, well. "Hobby farms" are good for two things: Federal agricultural assistance programs (cash in the bank) and tax-reduction schemes. Might be fun to look into that.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, the "hobby farms" are such a threat because they receive so many incentives from the federal government to operate. Indeed, let's launch an investigation of their affairs.

And how dare federal programs exist to help "eco-farmers". Hmmm, they are small business owners, aren't they?

Whatever...

J. Strupp said...

"...Mid-sized farms in particular are struggling to break even,.."

Where? My buddy has 1,800 acres out Minnesota and he's pulling over 200 bushel/acre corn at $5.00/bushel sold last fall with relatively low inputs. There's a measley half million left over and that doesn't include running a dairy truck and hay cutting income generated from his new $400,000 machine he paid for out of pocket. I'm not saying it's not great, all I'm saying is that the mid-sized guy is doing just fine thank you.