Dan Glickman
ASPEN, Colo. — Former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said here today that the consumer now has much more power in food debates than when he served in the Clinton administration from 1995 to 2001.

In the old days, Glickman said, American agriculture had a “Field of Dreams” attitude — “if we grow it they will buy it.” Today the situation is more “if they buy it, we will grow it,” he said.

The farm bill used to be focused on commodities such as corn, wheat, cotton and soybeans but the specialty crops growers have gained a lot in the 2014 farm bills, most importantly an expansion of crop insurance.

The 2014 farm bill also ended the policy under which commodity producers would lose benefits if they grow fruits and vegetables, Glickman noted, and he said there may be an expansion of those crops into areas of the country that have not grown them.

He also said the closer relationship between farmers and consumers could help farmers in times of trouble. When he represented Kansas in the House, Glickman said, he and other members of the House Agriculture Committee used to get frustrated that it was difficult to pass aid when farmers were in trouble, but under the new relationship the consumers may be more sympathetic.