Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Klees

To the Editor:

So what the heck is “Project 2025”? According to their website, Project 2025.org, it is a “political initiative published by the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, which aims to promote conservative and right wing policies to reshape the United States Federal Government and consolidate executive power.”

In the some 900 pages of this document, there are changes to the Farm Bill, which, by the way is being delayed in Congress, possibly to allow these changes to take place after the election.

Author Chris Clayton, of Investigate Midwest, explains some of the changes to the Farm Bill. It would focus the bill on ag production, removing obstacles but not subsidizing ag. Ag risk coverage (ARC) and price loss coverage (PLC) would be repealed.

There would be no Commodity Credit Corp., crop insurance premium subsidies would be reduced to 47%, and the CRP program would be eliminated. The number and size of the FSA offices would be decreased, and NRCS would not be able to hold producers to wetland compliance.

The food assistance program SNAP would be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and the work requirement increased, leaving more families without food assistance.

Farmers and land owners, be aware of how this plan can affect your bottom line and livelihood, and don’t vote against your own interests. Check your preferred candidate’s stand on this issue. Project 2025 is real, and a real threat to our country and our pocketbooks. If you don’t believe me, look it up.

Ann Klees
Waterville