Reviewing Farm Bill History: the Agricultural Act of 1954

Abstract

The election of Donald Trump in conjunction with a Republican Majority in Congress opens a new chapter of farm bill history. While history may not repeat itself, it does seem to recycle, and it is that recycling that could offer perspective on the issues, politics and challenges facing the upcoming farm bill effort (Logevall and Osgood 2016). With that in mind, this article begins a review of chapters in farm bill history (farmdoc daily, November 11, 2016). It begins with the last farm bill written by a united Republican government, the Agricultural Act of 1954.