The Nation - News from Jan. 30, 1985

Agriculture Secretary John R. Block took the nation’s farm problems to President Reagan but predicted that dismal commodity prices, high interest rates and falling land values “won’t go away” for America’s debt-ridden farmers. The Administration took no action to ease the problem as leaders of farm groups lobbied for a balanced budget to bring down high interest rates, a major component of farmers’ problems. Between White House meetings, Block told farm leaders that the credit problems are painful, adding: “The President is interested, he is concerned and he is aware.”