JFK SAYS FARMERS SHOULD BE TREATED FIRST CLASS
Stevens Point, Wisconsin (JFK+50) On March 10, 1960, Democratic presidential candidate, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts spoke at a campaign stop here in Stevens Point*.
The Senator, addressing problems faced by the American farmer, said...
"Of critical importance to the farmer...is his ability to obtain credit. The world technological revolution has made the farmer a major borrower (and) he is the victim of high interest rates."
JFK went on to say that American farmers were running their farms on $20 billion in borrowed money. He stated that 50,000 farmers in Wisconsin had to leave their farmers over the previous two years.
The presidential candidate made the following proposals to help relieve the farmer of this plight...
1. place a ceiling on interest rates
2. expand the Farmers Home Administration
3. place the lending program on a revolving fund basis
4. $20 million reserve fund freed from Budget Bureau control
Senator Kennedy concluded...
"If we can get men in government who understand the farmers problems--who recognize his need for inexpensive credit--who treat him as a first class citizen--then our farm economy can grow and flourish."
JFK went on to say that American farmers were running their farms on $20 billion in borrowed money. He stated that 50,000 farmers in Wisconsin had to leave their farmers over the previous two years.
The presidential candidate made the following proposals to help relieve the farmer of this plight...
1. place a ceiling on interest rates
2. expand the Farmers Home Administration
3. place the lending program on a revolving fund basis
4. $20 million reserve fund freed from Budget Bureau control
Senator Kennedy concluded...
"If we can get men in government who understand the farmers problems--who recognize his need for inexpensive credit--who treat him as a first class citizen--then our farm economy can grow and flourish."
*Stevens Point, WI is the county seat of Portage County & has a 2010 population of 26,717. It is the home of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.
SOURCE
"Stevens Point, Wisconsin, March 10, 1960", John F. Kennedy Library, www.jfklibrary.org/
SOURCE
"Stevens Point, Wisconsin, March 10, 1960", John F. Kennedy Library, www.jfklibrary.org/
Mitchell Public Square
Farmer's Market
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Photo by Jeff the quiet (2011)
