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Where is The Power in Agricultural and Food Policy?

Explore the dynamics of power within agriculture's iron triangle, involving government branches, interest groups, and key organizations in shaping policy decisions. Learn about the impact of commodity organizations, public interest groups, and agribusinesses.

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Where is The Power in Agricultural and Food Policy?

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  1. Where is The Power in Agricultural and Food Policy? • Agriculture’s iron triangle • Government • Executive Branch • Legislative Branch • Judicial Branch • Other Organizations • General farm organizations • Commodity organizations • Agribusinesses • Public interest groups • Other departments

  2. Interest Groups USDA Congress Interest Groups Key part of iron triangle More often than not, the interest groups are the ones that get the attention of USDA and/or Congress

  3. Farm Organizations • General farm/agribusiness organizations • American Farm Bureau Federation • National Farmers Union • Commodity organizations • National Corn Growers • National Cotton Council • Every commodity has one, and some have multiple All other things equal, the more specific the cause/interest, the more effective the group But all other things are seldom equal

  4. Commodity Organizations • Most effective organizations in agriculture because of focused commodity interests • Most effective are those that represent entire industry (NCC) • Beef has had conflicts among cattlemen and NCBA • If producer organization goes head-to-head with agribusiness, agribusiness normally wins (ex., packer in beef) • Almost always have related state organizations • Party alignment is an interesting issue

  5. Commodity Organizationsex. NCBA • Advertise • Educate • Provide services to members

  6. Public Interest Groups Typically focus on only 1 issue • Environment (Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council, Environmental Working Group, American Farmland Trust) • Hunger lobby (Bread for the World) • Animal rights (Humane Society of the United States, P.E.T.A.) • Consumer lobby (CFA, CW, CU, Center for Science in the Public Interest)

  7. Agribusinesses/Trade Associations • Restaurant Associations • Equipment dealers • Chemical Applicators • International Dairy Foods Association

  8. Summary • Truly an iron triangle of influence • Functions of Legislative Branch • Functions of key Committees • Why It’s Good to be in the Majority • How a Bill Becomes a Law

  9. Summary (cont) • General farm/Agribusiness interests generally broader than commodity policy • Trade • Tax policy • Often have related state organizations • Often aligned with political party • Farmers Union (D) • Farm Bureau (historically R) • Agribusiness (generally R) • Agribusiness firms often have their own lobbyists but still belong to commodity groups and general agribusiness organizations

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