Tens of millions of people — and millions of acres of farmland — rely on the Colorado River’s water. But as its supply shrinks, these farmers get more water from the river than entire states.
They probably also get paid by the federal government to grow certain crops instead of others. The whole rural US is heavily supported by federal welfare.
I feel like it has more to do with taking advantage of the government systems. Which is something companies and rich families are no stranger to doing.
Nothing, but the subsidies go to stuff that should be replaced with sustainable alternatives. For example, reduce dairy subsidies and apply them to eco-friendly dairy alternatives.
People don’t really care that much. Make oat milk cheaper and people will start buying it more than cow milk. Make the “real” stuff a luxury, like how everyone loves crab rangoons when there’s no crab in them.
Nothing per se, but many of these farmers get paid not to grow things and have been doing it for so long that they’ve found ways to game the system to collect money for nothing all the while electing Republicans to office and complaining about ‘welfare queens’ eating up all our tax dollars.
So they get the water for free and get paid for from tax dollars to conserve water?
Maybe if they actually had to pay for it, conserving water would be something they would do on their own just to to save money…
They probably also get paid by the federal government to grow certain crops instead of others. The whole rural US is heavily supported by federal welfare.
Removed by mod
Mostly when the considerations are political instead of economic. Eg. Corn is subsidised to a ridiculous level because Iowa is an early caucus state.
It creates waste (ie. Water)
I feel like it has more to do with taking advantage of the government systems. Which is something companies and rich families are no stranger to doing.
Removed by mod
Nothing, but the subsidies go to stuff that should be replaced with sustainable alternatives. For example, reduce dairy subsidies and apply them to eco-friendly dairy alternatives.
Removed by mod
People don’t really care that much. Make oat milk cheaper and people will start buying it more than cow milk. Make the “real” stuff a luxury, like how everyone loves crab rangoons when there’s no crab in them.
Nothing per se, but many of these farmers get paid not to grow things and have been doing it for so long that they’ve found ways to game the system to collect money for nothing all the while electing Republicans to office and complaining about ‘welfare queens’ eating up all our tax dollars.