In 2010, many farmers will again choose between farm safety net programs offered by the U.S. government. They can remain in the more-familiar 2002 farm program, which protects against price declines and provides traditional direct payments. Or, they can enroll in the new Average Crop Revenue...

Farmers have significantly increased their debt levels in recent years. Since 2004, real farm debt has risen nearly 5 percent annually, the fastest increase since the prelude to the 1980s farm debt crisis. Today’s rising debt raises questions about whether U.S. farm operations will face...