Keep the money flowing to king corn - that's the clear implication of comments by Collin Peterson, chairman of the House Agricultural Committee.

He told the Financial Times that organic produce and grass-fed beef producers for local consumers need little federal help. "It is growing, and it has nothing to do with the government, and that is good," he told the FT. "For whatever reason, people are willing to pay two or three times as much for something that says ‘organic’ or ‘local’. Far be it from me to understand what that’s about, but that’s reality. And if people are dumb enough to pay that much then hallelujah."

Which means that Peterson wants to keep the billions of subsidies flowing to conventional farm interests, preventing any serious programs for organic or smaller local farmers. (Via Ethicurean and FarmPolicy.com)

More on the policy at Gristmill Blog's post on "Local Food for All."