Food Anti-Democracy with Lingxi Chenyang '20

Have you ever wondered why the American food system is unhealthy and environmentally harmful? The answer lies in the Farm Bill, a spending law from the Great Depression that governs U.S. agriculture and causes significant environmental damage and health issues. Despite being passed by Congress every five years, the Farm Bill does not reflect the priorities of most voters. Initially passed as a financial bailout for wealthy farmers, it faced public protest and judicial challenges. In response, officials employed antidemocratic tactics to silence dissent, promoting misleading narratives about farm subsidies as beneficial for society. This "food antidemocracy" obscures public awareness of spending, grants excessive power to large agricultural interests, and undermines essential nutrition and conservation efforts. In this talk, moderated by LEAP Executive Director Viveca Morris, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Professor Lingxi Chenyang '20 will explore the historical and political context behind the Farm Bill, shed light on the flaws in our food system, and suggest potential pathways for reform.