2009-2010 Topic Paper #1: Agriculture

Statement of Significance:

The R-Word has been making rounds in almost every news piece on the economy. The consensus is pretty much in. Even if the US economy is not in recession, an economic slowdown is certain. The implications of an economic slowdown in the US are not limited to the American mainland but rather reverberate across the globe. The US economy is THE thing that keeps America alive. What went wrong with governmental policies? What are the consequences? What lies ahead?

The topic is interesting, provocative and challenging because:

Never before have economics and the state of the economy were the central focus of a debate resolution. Debating different solutions to the current economic crisis and long term economic stability will be a relatively new domain for the LD community, making it not just challenging but also interesting.

The topic is educational because:

The topic provides a new avenue for analysis and discussion. The simple deal is that economics affects everyone – from a Wall Street broker to a forensics coach. Therefore knowledge of dealing with economic slowdown and the general economic climate are key to a comprehensive education for members of the debate community.

Potential Arguments:

Affirmative

Alter the FED interest rates

Alter monetary policy targets

Curb budget deficit

Change taxation policy

Provide incentives to small business

Alter social security policy

Negative

Deficit spending DA

Consumer spending DA

Inflation DA

Federal Reserve CP

Private Sector CP

States CP

Sources:

• www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/
• www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AER834/
• www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=196537
• www.eoearth.org/article/Concentrated_Animal_Feeding_Operation_(CAFO)
• www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527155540.htm
• www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/Gallagher(Rev)PowerPoint
• Planting date effects on winter triticale grain yield and yield components. Author(s): Schwarte, A.J., L.R. Gibson, D.L. Karlen, P.M. Dixon, M. Liebman, and J.-L. Jannink. Crop Sci, 46: 1218-1224, 2006
• Ecological Applications, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Feb., 1993), pp. 92-122 Crop Rotation and Intercropping Strategies for Weed Management Matt Liebman, Elizabeth Dyck
• www.elsevier.com/locate/agee -
  Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators By Keith Daniel Wiebe, Noel Ray Gollehon
  Contributor Keith Daniel Wiebe Edition: illustrated Published by Nova Publishers, 2007
• www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4137E/Y4137E00.HTM
• www.reason.com/news/show/36207.html

Of course, there are a myriad of resources available on this topic.