by Tony Palmeri

January 18, 2002

Since 1940, approximately 4.1 million American families have lost farms. In 1996, the United States Congress passed "Freedom To Farm" legislation that advocates said would help the family farmer survive. The legislation allocated billions of dollars in subsidies to farmers who produce one or more of eight "program crops," while additional monies were available for disaster payments and a conservation program. Data collected by the Environmental Working Group indicates that the legislation has not benefited the overwhelming majority of farmers in America: since 1996, 80% of all farm subsidy recipients received an average of less than $1,200 per year.

In Wisconsin, the latest figures available indicate that while there are 65,602 farms in the state, only 36,946 (56%) receive any subsidies. In Winnebago County, according to the EWG study, 831 out of about 1,100 farms received $25,083,217 from 1996-2000. However, the top 10% of these farms received 51% of the payments, and the top 20% received 70%. The chart below shows the top 20 subsidy recipients from Winnebago County during the years 1996-2000:

The complete list of all 831 Winnebago farms receiving subsidies can be found here.

With almost 300 Winnebago farms receiving no subsidies, and with 80% of the farms receiving subsidies getting only a tiny amount, one can understand why some farmers have expressed support for plans to bring an ethanol plant to the County. As ethanol is a produced from corn, supporters of the plant argue that it will create a much needed market for local farmers.

The proposed ethanol plant has generated much opposition. Citing odor, impact on ground water, and general quality of life concerns, many citizens in the Towns of Algoma, Nekimi, and Utica have organized against it.

Algoma and Nekimi residents have succeeded in keeping the plant out of their neighborhoods. But on Monday January 14th, the Town of Utica Board approved a zoning change that would allow Algoma Ethanol LLC to build a plant on James Rd. The Town of Algoma Stop The Ethanol Plant Now group says that Utica residents are going to start a recall petition against two Board members because they believe they were not heard. Madison attorney and former gubernatorial candidate Ed Garvey represents the ethanol opponents.

I have not formed a fixed opinion on whether an ethanol plant is good or bad for Winnebago County. What I have found amusing is the sudden concern with "quality of life" among those who typically revere the "Market Forces God." However, I would urge those farmers who support the plant because it will create a local market for corn to wait and see what kind of farm legislation the federal government passes this year before throwing their support solidly behind Algoma LLC. The Freedom to Farm Act is currently being reviewed by the US Congress and the year 2002 may see major revisions to it. Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D-LaCrosse) is leading efforts to increase dramatically the amount of subsidies available for soil conservation and environmentally friendly farming practices. If Representative Kind and others succeed in getting their version of farm legislation passed this year, Winnebago County farmers may have options available to them that would minimize the need for an ethanol plant.

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