The Farm Bill and Me

  Created in 1933 the Agricultural Adjustment Act provided subsidies to U.S. farmers during the Great Depression and became the basis for what is The Farm Bill today (Snap). There was a surplus of seven main crops and the government paid farmers to stop growing these crops in hopes that the demand would increase the price of the staple crops and thereby help farmers make a profit. The Act also made provisions to support farmers during droughts and other difficult times, and included legislation on conservation and storage of surplus (Snap).

picture from SnaptoHealth.com

 Food Stamps and Child Nutrition is the largest part of the Farm Bill. Over 79% of the Farm Bill budget goes to Food stamps and nutrition, part of that is the school lunch program (Farm). Low income families are eligible for reduced price or free school lunches. It supports the food banks and provides job training in hopes that the families can eventually support themselves. I am concerned about the children that are not getting enough to eat. Food Stamps and School Lunches are essential programs to help people that are struggling. These programs are for occurrences and not as a means of life-long support. My mom found herself alone with eight children at home and no income, no child support. She was a stay at home mom and hadn’t had a job since high school 24 years earlier. She acquired two part time jobs and food stamps and tried to support her family in that way for a few years… It wasn’t working. My mom applied for college grants, kept her part time jobs and started going to school in her forties. With-in five years she had a job as a school teacher and was able to support our family without any government help. She is a welfare recipient success story!  This is how the program is supposed to work. I am proud to say that during her 26 year career as a school teacher my mom paid off her house, and is debt free and is now retired.
The Farm Bill was set up to help Americans when the need arises. Food Stamps do help families and

I think more needs to be done to help low income families to support themselves.                    

 Works Cited

Snap to Health. Farm Bill and USDA: Frequently Asked Questions. Aetna Foundation. Access 27 Feb. 2015. Web.