Students ponder effects of Obama presidency on jobs
Andrew Dodson
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Beyond
With only about 100 days until graduation, students are examining how a new presidency will affect their career prospects.
While some students say this administration will destroy their chances at that dream job, others believe the new president can create opportunities for them.
Hillsdale senior R.J. Layher worries about the affects of President Barack Obama's agricultural policy on his farming future.
He accepted a temporary job as a custom harvester that he will begin after graduation. Layher will travel from Texas to Canada, combining large farms over a seven-month period. Layher describes the job as a large-scale lawn mowing business.
He follows in a long legacy of Layher family farmers. His great-grandfather started their farm in late 1800s. Now, it supplements his family's income.
But Layher said Obama's possible tax incentives for farmers of all ages cannot work and will only give farmers a fake financial cushion.
Although only California bests Michigan's agricultural diversity, "farmers get treated like second class citizens," Layher said.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Michigan's micro-climates allow farmers to produce over 125 different food and fiber products. Agriculture is the second-highest grossing industry in Michigan currently.
One of Obama's farm plans provides tax incentives for young farmers like Layher to start or inherit their own farms. Nevertheless, Layher is skeptical.
"None of his [Obama's] proposed plans will work, because if you need the government's help, you shouldn't be in business in the first place," he said. He said the Obama administration should instead end the inheritance and capital gains tax, making it legally and financially easier to pass a farm down from one generation to another.
"That tax burden is a huge problem for young farmers today," said Layher.
To start up even a small farm of about 200 acres, Layher estimated the cost at close to $10 million, an amount based around the current value of his family's farm.
While some students say this administration will destroy their chances at that dream job, others believe the new president can create opportunities for them.
Hillsdale senior R.J. Layher worries about the affects of President Barack Obama's agricultural policy on his farming future.
He accepted a temporary job as a custom harvester that he will begin after graduation. Layher will travel from Texas to Canada, combining large farms over a seven-month period. Layher describes the job as a large-scale lawn mowing business.
He follows in a long legacy of Layher family farmers. His great-grandfather started their farm in late 1800s. Now, it supplements his family's income.
But Layher said Obama's possible tax incentives for farmers of all ages cannot work and will only give farmers a fake financial cushion.
Although only California bests Michigan's agricultural diversity, "farmers get treated like second class citizens," Layher said.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Michigan's micro-climates allow farmers to produce over 125 different food and fiber products. Agriculture is the second-highest grossing industry in Michigan currently.
One of Obama's farm plans provides tax incentives for young farmers like Layher to start or inherit their own farms. Nevertheless, Layher is skeptical.
"None of his [Obama's] proposed plans will work, because if you need the government's help, you shouldn't be in business in the first place," he said. He said the Obama administration should instead end the inheritance and capital gains tax, making it legally and financially easier to pass a farm down from one generation to another.
"That tax burden is a huge problem for young farmers today," said Layher.
To start up even a small farm of about 200 acres, Layher estimated the cost at close to $10 million, an amount based around the current value of his family's farm.
Be the first to comment on this story