Field of Despair

Athée-sur-cher, France—as the nation prepares for the first round of voting in its presidential election, farmer Jacques Fortin mowed a message in English for the candidates in his wheat field (pictured on April 13). A combination of bad weather, international competition and falling food prices has eroded incomes for French farmers. In 2016, half were earning less than enough to keep them above the poverty line. “Political leaders do not listen to us,” Fortin told Agence France-Presse. “They’re deaf to our anger. I hope they’re not blind and will read this message of despair.”