Killing the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs?

Well, the onions are coming along. Boy, is that slow. I'm used to cotton. If you don't have cotton up in two weeks you are in deep trouble.

Speaking of cotton- it's up. Yay! The mornings have been cool, so it has taken a little longer than the last two years. But, the roots are healthy. We are off and running.

Here is another piece from the archives. This was published in the Fresno Bee in June of 2003. The only edits I made were taking out a paragraph on trade and workers comp. I think it stands the test of time. What do you think?

Killing the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs

By Paul H. Betancourt

Copyright June 6, 2003

            The old child’s tale reminds us how the foolish king killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. I think many of the critics of modern agriculture have forgotten that lesson.

            While there are fair and legitimate concerns about farming we often forget the amazing benefits of farming. Fewer and fewer of us are required today to grow food for more and more people. Fewer than 2 percent of our population grow enough food for the other 98 percent and still leave a large surplus for exporting.

            Much of this amazing increase comes from harnessing science and technology. New varieties of seeds and plants have increased production. New chemistry in pesticides and herbicides increase productivity and are gentler on the environment. New computers and technology in tractors and farm equipment increase productivity in the field, use less fuel and help air quality. New management and techniques increase productivity in livestock and dairy production.

            Yet there are many critics of modern agriculture, some legitimate and some not so. The potential burden of some of the proposed policy changes are enough to radically change the face of agriculture and none of them will increase productivity. In creasing productivity is the key to farming’s future prosperity just as it is the key for any other business.

            An ongoing problem is our well intentioned regulations and environmental policy. Yes, government has the right and responsibility to protect the common good through regulation. But, that has to be balanced. We don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.  It is business and labor that create jobs and wealth, not government.

            Regulations should show they are needed to solve specific problems. One example of failed regulatory policy

            Another are of concern is environmental policy. The media often pitches business and economics against the environment. That is a false dichotomy. Dr. Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace, makes the argument for balance in environmental policy. “Many environmentalists convey the simplistic and wrong impression to the public that the choice is between preservation and devastation.” Vernon Crowder, an economist here in Fresno, has long made the point that whatever criticism of our economic system it does allow the resources to deal with environmental problems. What we need is leadership and policies that balance our need to protect the environment and promote progress. That is the only safe and sane approach. An example is in the current crusade to clean up the air here in the Valley. We do have an air quality problem that needs to be dealt with. We need more solutions like the diesel pump motor exchange program that helps the air without shutting down farming.

I hope Y'all have a good week.

P