Led by Democrat Ron Kind and Republican Paul Ryan, these five stood up for reform of antiquated, wasteful agricultural policies.

But the state should call to account its two senators and three representatives, including Madison Democrat Tammy Baldwin, who voted with the majority for the $290 billion subsidy- and pork-laden bill.

Their role in helping to pass the farm bill, over the need for reform, is shameful.

At stake are policies that for the next five years will govern agriculture, a $28.6 billion a year industry in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin and the rest of America need a new farm bill suited to an era shaped by the global economy, a need to conserve natural resources, a growing demand for biofuels and an imperative to rein in government spending.

But that's not what they got from Congress. Consider:

• The bill makes little attempt to rein in subsidies, which result in farmers producing for government checks rather than for the marketplace. For example, the bill includes a $410 million expansion of the $1.2 billion dairy farmer subsidy called the Milk Income Loss Contract.

• Congress rejected attempts to limit the subsidies that huge farms and wealthy farmers receive. Even an effort to put a $250,000 limit on subsides per farm was defeated.

Consider also the spending slipped into the bill for pet projects dubiously related to agriculture.

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., inserted $175 million to provide water for desert lakes in his state.

• Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., added a $500-million tax credit provision for bonds that would allow Plum Creek Timber Co. to sell 400,000 acres in his state.

• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., included a $126 million tax break over 10 years for horse owners to benefit his state's racing industry.

• Senators in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland added $382 million for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Conservation Program.

• Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., inserted $5 million for grants to broadcasting systems.

The list goes on.

President Bush has threatened to veto the farm bill, even though last week's votes indicate the bill is veto-proof. Let's hope some in Wisconsin's delegation change their minds to support a veto so that Congress can go back to work to produce the farm bill America deserves.