A farm bill in tune with the times

Since a relatively small percentage of Americans are farmers, many people tune out of the debate on the Farm Bill now being considered in Congress.

But the measure has profound implications for issues ranging from the security of the United States to the health of millions of American children and families.

Changes in the political world have begun to powerfully influence the debate over the Farm Bill, traditionally dominated by interests in the big four "commodity crops," corn, cotton, rice and sugar, and the lawmakers who represent the states producing those crops.

Change is being sought by so-called "specialty crop" producers, a diminutive term considering "specialty crops" in this context means fruits and vegetables. Those producers, from blueberry farmers in New Jersey to peach growers in California, are seeking more federal support to keep their sectors healthy.