U.S. farmers have for years relied on the financial support of both federally funded crop insurance and direct disaster assistance. Limits on availability of federal funds dictate that programs less costly to the government than disaster programs but more effective than past crop insurance...

Many Americans believe that farmers place great value on stewardship and accordingly follow sound environmental practices. This belief has become a stumbling block to developing policies that address environmental issues. The stewardship myth, having evolved from the earliest days of our nation...