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:R from liquid manure spills and leaks from huge manure "lagoons." Though this bill paves the way for greater agribusiness gains over family farms, it had the support of most Minnesota legislators. Would it have passed without the influence of agribusiness political contribu- tions? One has to wonder... Family farmers: hung out to dry Besides passing legislation favorable to agribusiness, Minnesota legislators have ignored bills such as the Livestock Processing Plant Development Program. It would aid the development of livestock processing cooperatives, giving Minnesota family farmers an alternative to selling their outputs to corporate processing operations. It would also establish a fund to help small farmers afford grocery store shelf space for their products, which is currently monopolized by corporate live- stock processors. Without this legislation, consumers are often not given the option of buying naturally raised, healthy meats and instead must buy potentially antibiotic-laden products from corporate fanning operations. It would seem. then, to make good sense to pass this bill: it helps economically disadvantaged family farmers, reinvigorates market competition, and offers consumers more choices. Yet, for two legisla- tive sessions, it has gained no attention. Flow could this be? Could our legislators' fear of alienating agribusiness contributors be preventing them from aiding our farmers`? Family farmers, consumers and environmentalists will continue to fight against corporate agriculture and for sustainable agricultural policies. And this fight depends on replacing the present campaign finance sys- tem with a system that allows democracy to work. The campaign finance data is based on reports tiled with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and analyses done by the National Institute on Money in State Politics and the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action. Information on farm issues was provided by the Land Stewardship Project, the Minnesota Farmers Union. and State Representatives Ted Winter and Doug Peterson.