30 Dec 2025 10:34 am
Farming is a risky business:Vegas » 29 Dec 2025, 12:51 pm » wrote: ↑ I’m glad I broke out of the corporate cult mindset. I used to cheer for big business, thinking it showed the free market at work, until I asked who was really benefiting.
Quick breakdown:
Only a handful of corporations own the buyer and seller market for farmers. Hardly any competition. In fact, some of these corporations merged, so they just compete with each other. The buyers low ball the farmers and the sellers increase their prices. The farmers are the middle guy getting molested on both ends.
Analogy: Think of a town with only one employer and one landlord. The employer announces that wages will be decreasing and the landlord announces that rent will be increasing. However, because we live in the land of free market capitalism, the employer can just say "well, if you don't like it, then you have the freedom to find another employer." Actually, no they don't. Then the landlord says "well, if you don't like it, then you have the freedom to live somewhere else." Actually, no they don't.
And before the MAGA crowd starts in with how Trump provided a 115 billion dollar aid package to the farmers, just know that the money only goes through the hands of the farmer. It doesn't stay with them. It goes to pay down their debt to the banks.
Therefore, in short, The government once again bailed out the banks, supported the choking of competition, and bent over the little man without lube. Shocker. That never happens.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) analysis of data from the 2007 and 2012 Censuses of Agriculture, approximately 51.9% of beginning farms do not survive their first five years.
Trying to buy yourself a job doesn't always work out.
I can understand your sentiment on the corporate cult mindset, you are not alone. You probably still invest in them, no?
Those assholes have increased my net worth $90k this year. It could all disappear next year but they appear to be doing a good job, maybe tighten the screws down a bit?
The family farm continues to pump out profits year after year after year. Maybe AI will help the struggling farmers?
You can join my chapter of corporate cult, I'll even wave the fee!!