Article snippet: For example, how can we better address the emerging threats of crop and livestock diseases and pests, water scarcity and quality, soil degradation and land conversion, potential over-use of toxic and persistent chemicals, weather variability and temperature changes, persistent hunger and malnutrition, and food-borne diseases? How can we better promote health and nutrition in our communities? What roles do we expect farmers to play in assuring our global energy future? How might the environmental stewardship efforts of producers and livestock owners be better recognized and rewarded? What role do urban centers and rural economies play in the sustainable demand and supply of food? What incentives will motivate a new generation of young people to take on the risks and challenges of farming? In order to address this broad range of concerns, we need to make serious decisions about public spending priorities. Given the current U.S. government budgetary pressures, there will be strong Congressional interest in cutting food and agriculture programs in the upcoming 2013 federal budget while protecting the status quo as much as possible. It is also possible that the Farm Bill could lock in these cuts for the next five years. This short-term, budgetary stance risks cutting programs that are vital to our global security and stability. We’re in it for the long haul. Glickman is former secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Hirshberg is co-founder and chairman of ... Link to the full article to read more