HANDFUL OF WISCONSIN FARMS COULD FACE SUBSIDY CUTS
Monday, March 21st, 2005 -- 2:16 PM
Six Wisconsin farms received more than $200,000 each in federal farm subsidies last year, according to Department of Agriculture documents.Those subsidies could be curtailed in future years if President Bush succeeds in limiting payments to farmers.
The documents, obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act, show that Dane County Growers of Edgerton received $383,000, most of any farm in the state. Next was B & E Farms Partnership of Cassville, with $349,000; Metcalf Farms of Stone Lake, $290,000.
Under current law, farmers are limited to $360,000 in subsidies a year, but that limit is filled with loopholes that allow many farmers to exceed it. Bush has proposed lowering the limit to $250,000 and curbing the loopholes, which in theory would mean reductions for the top three recipients in Wisconsin. The Bush administration argues that agriculture must help all of government cut the deficit, which is projected to reach $427 billion this year.
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