Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not spread the wealth when it comes to farm subsidies. In fact, from the mid-1990s to the middle of this decade, just over half of all subsidies were distributed to a mere 4% of all recipients, according to USDA data compiled by the Environmental Working Group. The amount given to this small crop of farmers was almost $90 billion.
Three of the largest beneficiaries in 2007 were farming operations in California: Sandridge Partners, District 108 Farms and Dublin Farms. Other top recipients were Dnrc Trust Land Management - Exem (Montana), Martori Family Gen Ptn and Gila River Farms (Arizona), Balmoral Farming Partnership (Louisiana), Napi (New Mexico) and Due West (Mississippi).
-Noel Brinkerhoff
USDA Farm Subsidies 1995-2006 (Environmental Working Group)
Top Recipients of USDA Subsidies 2007 (Environmental Working Group)
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