Reading the World is a remarkable new documentary about Paulo Freire, the acclaimed Brazilian educator whose revolutionary approach to teaching connected literacy to critical thinking and democratic p...

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May 26, 2026 - Cory Haala backgroundbriefing.org/donate x.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

​Price floors and supply management programs seem common sense to policymakers when it comes to oil and minerals, but what about US farmers and our overall food system?

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Mark Bittman, Michael Pollan, Ricardo Salvador and Olivier De Schutter have been doing some integrative work on farm and food policy issues, as seen in

In stark contrast to popular myth, older white male farmer activists of the Family Farm (Farm Justice) Movement in the US are a neglected voice in farm and food/nonfood policy discussions today among US and international groups and academic leaders, in...

Agency will no longer use ‘socially disadvantaged’, which describes people subjected to discrimination, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian groups

There are a variety of powerful arguments in favor of restoring the New Deal parity-style farm programs, which feature top and bottom side supply management in support of minimum farm price floors …

Author’s Note: This paper presents background material in support of my slide show series on “The Decline of Agriculture” in 42 counties in Iowa, (with summaries of these counties…

n response to the so-called Trump Plan, a scheme primarily designed by Israel’s fascist government to save it from its unprecedented global isolation, in

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The document discusses the decline of rural populations in Iowa, linking it to farm policies and the shift from family farms to industrial agriculture, particularly CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). It highlights the negative socioeconomic and environmental impacts of these changes, including increased poverty, unemployment, and community deterioration. The author advocates for restoring family farm structures, fair pricing, and sustainable practices to improve rural economies and populations. - Download as a PDF or view online for free

The document discusses the impact of Trump-era policies on U.S. farm income and subsidies, indicating a general decline in net farm income across 33 states, with significant increases in farm debt and interest costs. While some states saw improvements in income, the majority, particularly in the Corn Belt and various blue states, experienced negative financial trends, exacerbated by unfavorable subsidy structures that diminished over time. The analysis highlights disparities in farm income based on crop types, regional market access, and decisions regarding subsidy programs. - Download as a PDF, PPTX or view online for free

Food Crisis 101 (The Farm Bill, Trade, Strategic Reserves and Related Issues) KEY (to acronyms) IATP:  Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy APAC:

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A new article that has been circulating argues that “more than 90 percent of U.S. could eat food grown or raised withing 100 miles of their homes.” (

(Author’s note:  I’m introducing this as a simple fact sheet.  I hope to provide further detail later.) INTRODUCTION Farmers today face a serious crisis, at least if present trends cont…

In Iowa and across the Midwest, the hopes and dreams of thousands of family farmers are now on the auction block. Iowa has lost 10,000 farms since the Reagan administration came into office. A cris…