It’s hoped that Ottawa and our farm groups latch on to what is happening. Many European urban dwellers now accept $80 billion a year rural payments since some are directed to pay for environmental projects, whether soil enhancement, preserving farm buildings or supporting wetlands. Tree-huggers become dewy eyed at the prospect of keeping pink-breasted warblers in a state of avian luxury. What’s $5 million a nest?

Our American cousins pursue the same path. Farmers joining Washington’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) will get up to C$225,000 over a contract period for one or more structural projects, improving water quality, tree planting or several other environmental friendly moves. For the time being funding is confined to smaller family enterprises.

Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone reasons that big producers should not have access to this type of money. Large operations have grown with "little regard for environmental damage…public health threats [arise] from huge amounts of animal waste." He adds that factory farms grew by putting "many small farmers out of business. Providing subsidies to mega producers will only increase their profits" at the expense of family farms.

Remarkably, the costly program has garnered the support of urban-based groups, whether the League of Conservation Voters or National Wildlife Federation, along with consumer and some farm organizations. This could become a powerful big-money coalition to the point of reversing rural America’s loss of clout in a city-dominated economy.

So where does Canada fit in this trend? True, Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief has unveiled a $3.4 billion meagre plan to help our beleaguered farm economy over the next five years but it must be matched by $2.9 billion in provincial money. The aim is to fund food safety, environmental stewardship, turning field crops into clean fuel and other motherhood schemes. Nothing more creative than this must leave rural communities agog with indifference.

The response is a plea about a shortage of funds in tough times. What nonsense. Our farm groups must tell Mr. Vanclief that since 1996 his Cabinet funneled $7.1 billion into seven "secret" foundations. Further, the auditor-general notes that since 1991 a total of $32.2 billion was squirreled away for special assignments, likely for buying the next election.