The 2007 Farm Bill legislation influences the way we — as individuals and as a country — farm, use land, buy food, and ultimately, eat. It effects school lunches, food aid, food stamps, conservation and land use planning, agricultural programs in universities and trade schools. To unpack some of this, we spoke with farmers, farm policy analysts, consumer advocates, and food activists to learn more. In Part 1 of a two part series, we uncover the history of the Farm Bill and why it was started, and begin to break down some of the major components of the bill — mainly commodities. We discuss the Dorgan-Grassley amendment which would limit subsidy payments. We also begin to uncover some needles in the haystack: worthy programs that would fund socially disadvantaged farmers, crop insurance, food aid, organic farming, and country of origin labeling.

Interviewees include: Patrick Woodall, Food and Water Watch; Mark Muller; Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Mark Kastel, Cornucopia Institute; Aimee Witteman, The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Joel Greeno; National Family Farm Coalition; James Goodman, Family Farm Defenders; Ralph Paige, Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Anuradna Mittal; Oakland Institute.

This week's Sprouts edition is produced at WORT in Madison Wisconsin by Molly Stentz and M.J. LaPlae. Music by Sammy Shelor & Ron Stewart, and Talib Kweli.

Part 2 of this program is located here.