Growers big and small are 'banking on the buyout' ($700M Tobacco buyout)

[Ediacara]

Growers big and small are 'banking on the buyout'


AMBER ARNOLD / STAFF
Jonathan Gray cuts tobacco on his farm in Portland.
''I'm for the buyout. Not many tobacco farmers that
I've come into contact with aren't for it,'' Gray said.

By RACHEL STULTS
For The Tennessean

A government tobacco plan would pay Tennessee farmers $700 million to give up subsidies, a study says

Tobacco farmers in Tennessee would be paid more than $700 million under a buyout plan being proposed in Congress, a recent study suggests.

Farmers like Jonathan Gray, 38, could use the money. The 10 acres of tobacco he planted this year have been all but ruined by too much rain, and he is feeling the effects of increasing government costs and regulations that have made tobacco more expensive to produce over the years.

''Lots of people are banking on the buyout,'' the third-generation farmer said one recent day, standing in the fields outside his Portland home and drenched in sweat from a day spent cutting and staking the huge leaves to ready them for curing. Storm clouds approached overhead, and the leaves bore not the hallmark golden tan but a yellow-and-green hue because of this year's excess rain.

More at the Tennessean

[gratuitous]

1. Wow, 10 whole acres of tobacco

I'll bet that produces enough to make a carton of cigarettes. And Jonathan Gray has his greedy little claw out, ready to pocket my tax money so he'll stop growing a deadly and addictive plant.

You know something, "Farmer" Gray? Cheney you. Cheney you right in the Bush.

[Bandit]

2. I think these "farmers" are sick of being accused of poisoning our

children and others. I'm glad for this buy-out as it gives them an honorable exit. I wouldn't imagine many who would oppose it.