The role of agriculture and the traditional small family farmer has been - and remains - critical to health and economic vitality of our state, and the nation.

Over the past decades, almost completely under the radar, large corporate farms and corporate agribusiness has made a systematic effort to eliminate the traditional farmer. They have patented and genetically modified corn, wheat, soy, and other critical food sources - even livestock, gaining increasing international control of the production, marketing, and distribution of the world’s food supply. These foods are not as nutritious or as safe as that produced by traditional farmers for centuries. Corporations are also attempting to gain control of the nations water supply - with alarming success.

Corporate agriculture has attempted to buy out, pressure, or even sue, to force farmers out of business. They have also pressured state and national governments to enact laws written by the corporations which render traditional farming too expensive and cumbersome for the individual farmer to survive.

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) now before Congress would force even the smallest healthy farms to buy expensive new computer tracking equipment, and potentially would subject them to unreasonable demands by the USDA.

Congress should resoundingly reject this legislation. They should also investigate the increasing consolidation of control of our nation’s food supply before we end up with the equivalent of an AIG dictating food and nutrition allowances.

In the meantime, support your local farmers and farmers markets.

­— Dan Touse, 4771 State Route 5,

Town of Vernon