Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock
In 2021, 30 farmers in cities within Bethel Census Area received a total of $207,589 in 30 farm subsidies, a 937.3% increase from 2020, when the total was just $20,013 in 10 farm subsidies.
Though farm subsidies support agriculture in the U.S., pumping $7 trillion into the economy, they are not without controversy.
The American Action Forum discovered that the most highly subsidized crops - corn, soy, wheat, and rice - are often consumed in highly processed ways, which leads to unhealthy eating habits and obesity, while the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet are rarely subsidized.
"We are consuming more calories, fats, sodium, and sugars, and not enough beneficial nutrients and vitamins," Tara O'Neill Hayes wrote. "It is critical that both policymakers and the American public understand the influence that federal agricultural subsidies have on our food supply and diet and, in turn, our nutrition and health."
Farm subsidies have also been criticized for assisting the highest-earning agricultural businesses, not local farmers on their family farms who are barely getting by.
Kimberly Amadeo of The Balance said farmer subsidies "help high-income corporations, not poor rural farmers. Most of the money goes toward large agribusinesses."
The U.S. has provided farm subsidies since the Great Depression to assist farmers who weather price fluctuations and disasters, to help maintain consistent farming across the country.
| Farmer | Total Received in 2020 | Total Received in 2021 | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolph Charles John Ouya | $0 | $12,128 | -- |
| Ralph A. John | $0 | $12,074 | -- |
| David Mute | $0 | $11,774 | -- |
| Joshua Alirkar | $0 | $11,150 | -- |
| James H Tikiun | $0 | $10,984 | -- |
| Nick Tom Jr. | $0 | $10,860 | -- |
| Francis R Sipary | $0 | $10,700 | -- |
| Victor Nick | $0 | $10,557 | -- |
| Clara Ann Martin | $0 | $10,330 | -- |
| Samuel Atti | $0 | $9,492 | -- |
| John J. B. Chakuchin | $0 | $9,419 | -- |
| Charles Billy Post | $0 | $9,267 | -- |
| Charles Moses | $0 | $8,945 | -- |
| Henry L Kanulie | $0 | $8,653 | -- |
| Joseph Henry | $0 | $8,133 | -- |
| Jones Anaver | $0 | $7,309 | -- |
| Raymond White | $0 | $6,630 | -- |
| William Kanuk | $0 | $6,337 | -- |
| Samuel J. Carl | $0 | $6,316 | -- |
| Sam Carl Lewis | $0 | $6,117 | -- |
| Fred Anaver | $0 | $4,711 | -- |
| Jobe Abraham Jr. | $0 | $4,352 | -- |
| Daniel P. Andrews | $0 | $3,474 | -- |
| Tim Meyers | $2,702 | $2,793 | 3.4% |
| Myron E. Angstman | $2,167 | $1,782 | -17.8% |
| Suzanne L. Angstman | $2,167 | $1,782 | -17.8% |
| Zachary Adam Smith | $500 | $952 | 90.4% |
| Gabriel L. Olin | $237 | $237 | 0% |
| Jane Allen | $193 | $193 | 0% |
| Donald A. Johnson | $0 | $138 | -- |
| Simeon John | $11,095 | $0 | -100% |
| Francis Kozevenikoff | $952 | $0 | -100% |
| Total subsidies | $20,013 | $207,589 | 937.3% |
Alerts Sign-up