AmberWaves May 2007 Special Issue > Features

COMMODITY PROGRAMS AND POLICY Managing Risk With Revenue Insurance by Robert Dismukes and Keith H. Coble Revenue insurance may do a better job of stabilizing farm income and may protect more farms than other risk management tools.   Relaxing Fruit and Vegetable Planting Restrictions by Edwin Young, Demcey Johnson, Barry Krissoff, and Gary Lucier A recent WTO ruling may result in the elimination of planting restrictions on certain crops, a long-time feature of U.S. commodity programs. CONSERVATION Environmental Credit Trading: Can Farming Benefit? by Marc Ribaudo, Robert Johansson, and Carol Jones Environmental credit trading is a market-based approach to complying with environmental regulations that could achieve pollution abatement goals at lower costs to society. Emphasis Shifts in U.S. Conservation Policy by Roger Claassen To address the negative impacts and enhance the positive outcomes that some farming practices can have on natural resources, policymakers have both increased conservation program funding and shifted its emphasis. FOOD AND NUTRITION Food Assistance: How Strong Is the Safety Net? by Michael LeBlanc, Biing-Hwan Lin, and David Smallwood Food assistance programs increase food spending and combat poverty, but their effect on nutrition is more uncertain. Improving Food Choices—Can Food Stamps Do More? by Joanne F. Guthrie, Elizabeth Frazão, Margaret Andrews, and David Smallwood An expanded focus on nutrition may steer food stamp participants to better diets.   RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY Policy Options for a Changing Rural America by Leslie A. Whitener and Tim Parker No longer tied closely to farm policies, rural economies in the 21st century will be shaped demographic change, industrial restructuring, and national economic trends.   Ethanol Reshapes the Corn Market by Allen Baker and Steven Zahniser The expanding U.S. ethanol sector is stimulating demand for corn, but alternatives to corn may dampen that demand.