Instead of all corn and soybeans, grow a variety of produce

In his letter to the editor Brad Wilson wrote "At one point Jones suggests removing 40% of corn ethanol acres and planting them to seven fruits and vegetables, apparently not realizing that increasing that production by 70% would crash market prices" ("Flaws in Jones’ book on Iowa’s water quality," The Gazette, May 28).

It seems to me growing more fruits and vegetables would be much better for humanity than growing corn for ethanol. Presently the corn ethanol industry and participating farmers are heavily subsidized, both by direct financial aid and indirectly by legislation mandating ordinary citizens put ethanol in their cars (Renewable Fuel Standard).

It makes much more sense to subsidize food we can actually eat. Bring back farm price floor and supply management programs. Guarantee the farmer an adequate income for growing real food. Truly feed the world.

(As an aside, it seems to me growing a variety of useful crops would be much more interesting and fulfilling than growing just corn and soybeans.)

Ed Fischer

Iowa City