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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 OPINION 
9

Neil Young: Don't Forget Farmers in Bailout

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(Newser) – Neil Young puts down his guitar and picks up his pen today on behalf of family farmers. In an essay in the Boston Globe, Young argues that tight credit, declining prices, natural disasters, and the overall economic gloom has many of them on the brink. The situation is as dire as it was in the 1980s, before the federal government freed up credit for farmers and allowed loan restructuring. It's time for a similar remedy, says Young.

"The USDA, with help from other agencies, should restore fair credit, prices, and practices for family farmers," he writes. "As Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack makes plans to implement the 2008 Farm Bill, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would be well served to consider lessons from the 1980s and extend loan protections under the federal bailout to family farmers, preventing home foreclosures and bankruptcy among farmers and ranchers."

In this 2008 file photo, Neil Young performs during Farm Aid 2008 in Mansfield, Mass.
In this 2008 file photo, Neil Young performs during Farm Aid 2008 in Mansfield, Mass.   (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
Neil Young performs in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008.
Neil Young performs in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri)
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The hard work of family farmers is strengthening local economies, reducing the nation's reliance on fossil fuels, protecting natural resources, and increasing national security.

- Neil Young

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9 comments
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BackAgain
Feb 26, 09 6:23 PM CST
The hands just keep flying out. Better fill them. Reply
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markhebert42
Feb 26, 09 6:57 PM CST
Haven't the farmers been getting bailed out for a long time? Reply
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PaleRider
Feb 26, 09 7:26 PM CST
Every year they get Federal Aid near me. It Rained too little, it Rained to much, it was too dry it was not dry enough. Reply
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A1A
Feb 26, 09 7:26 PM CST
Like the farmer I saw yesterday, He was driving a $60k Lincoln Pickup with "farm truck" tags on it. I think I already bailed him out. Reply
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markhebert42
Feb 26, 09 7:32 PM CST
That's what I thought. Reply
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