The U.S. Agriculture Department had a golden vision when it launched an ambitious plan a decade ago for a computer system meant to modernize how the government pays farmers and ranchers. Symbolizing that hope, the acronym for this huge project was “MIDAS.” But things went wrong with the program early on. And now, as Harvest Public Media’s Peggy Lowe reports, the MIDAS program has lost that golden glow.
Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Based at KCUR Radio in Kansas City, Harvest covers these agriculture-related topics through an expanding network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest. Kansas Public Radio is a partner in this collaborative effort.