Matt Blunt Balances Budget On Backs of Hobbyist Farmers

Farm grant program is dying on the vine:

Three years ago, Chris and Traci Canby wanted to realize their dream of growing organic tomato plants.

The parents of three small boys applied for a $3,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

When department officials approved the application, the Canbys used the money to build a small greenhouse next to their home on 3 acres near Union.

Today, the Canby family is among the steady vendors at the Clayton Farmers Market, where they sell tomatoes, eggplant and other certified organic vegetables.

"I could not have afforded (the greenhouse) without the grant," Chris Canby said.

We at DMB2008 like to think on entrepreneurs as plucky, can-do sorts of people who will move heaven and, in the case of these citizen farmers, some small amounts of earth to pursue their dreams. However, we wonder what sorts of entrepreneurs cannot, cannot get started without taxpayer funding.

We're pleased the Matt Blunt has trimmed another line item from the budget, even if this means that entrepreneurs have to actually borrow money which they'll have to repay to pursue their dreams instead of infringing, indirectly, upon the dreams of other taxpayers.