Butts spoke to seven small farmers and others at the public library here and at a meeting at Florida State University in Gainesville. He was part of a farmers delegation in February hosted by the Association of Small Farmers of Cuba (ANAP).

Farmers at the meeting discussed the problems they face as small producers. Butts explained the role of a mass farmers organization like ANAP, which has 250,000 members. "These Cuban farmers have a way to raise concerns and ideas because the decision-making affects them," he said.

One farmer said she has been unable to grow anything on her land for a decade. Her soil was destroyed by a Dupont agricultural product, which has since been recalled. After 10 years of fighting Dupont in the courts, she said, "I don't think we've got to the point of having a revolution in this country. I know people who have lost their hog farms in Iowa and now they're driving trucks. It's going to have to get a lot worse."

Another participant suggested, as a solution to the problems facing farmers, selling directly to consumers. Butts replied, "That is not the answer ultimately. Farmers borrow off the land. The system of rents and mortgages casts a shadow of foreclosure over land. Debt is driven by the system. Farmers are not small businessmen. They are exploited independent producers."

A local strawberry farmer expressed concern about Brazilian imports. Michael Martinez, a Young Socialists member from Miami, joined the discussion stating, "We shouldn't see the Nicaraguan farmer or any farmer as the enemy. It's the big corporations that are the enemy."

To questions about environmental issues in Cuba, Butts said, "They're going to use good science and judge each chemical. Cuba has an integrated approach of sustainability including environmental, social, and economic considerations." He explained how farmers in this country are pressured to over-fertilize because they are caught in the price-cost squeeze and are under tremendous pressure to produce or face going under.

Rachele Fruit contributed to this article.  
 
 
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