But is a wholly tax-financed system necessarily better than the current crop-insurance system, which is largely financed by private premiums and only partially subsidized by taxes? Would a federally administered system deliver better service than local private insurance agents and adjusters? Viewed through the eyes of individual farmers, crop insurance is remarkably fair and flexible. But is a wholly tax-financed system necessarily better than the current crop-insurance system, which is...

The conditional vacation by the Supreme Court last week of the eight month-old stay on conducting field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops prior to their release for commercial cultivation, serves a limited objective but stops short of resolving the contentious issue. The conditional vacation by the Supreme Court last week of the eight month-old stay on conducting field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops prior to their release for commercial cultivation, serves a limited...

Crop insurance and disaster payments from the federal government can help if damage occurs, but even then farmers say they don't totally recoup their losses. By then, a farmer has already invested in most of the growing process. Disaster aid for farmers is usually offered as a short-term program after a tropical storm drowns crops or a drought dries them up, for example, Weigle said. The federal government has tried to get out of the business of disaster payments by encouraging more...

Gaul Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, May 4, 2007; Page A04 Private companies are taking advantage of a poorly designed crop insurance program for farmers to reap "excessive" profits while taxpayers absorb most of the costs and risks, investigators told a House committee yesterday. Gaul Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, May 4, 2007; Page A04 Private companies are taking advantage of a poorly designed crop insurance program for farmers to reap "excessive" profits while taxpayers...

The Nicholas Institute helped develop the first how-to manual for farmers, foresters, traders and investors who want to participate in future carbon markets. Durham, NC -- The first how-to manual for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States through changes in land use and farming practices, and turning those reductions into verifiable credits for trading in carbon markets, is about to hit bookshelves. Durham, NC -- The first how-to manual for reducing greenhouse gas emissions...