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In 2021, nine farmers in cities within Cape May County received a total of $358,660 in nine farm subsidies, a 74.4% decrease compared to 2020, when the total was $1.4 million in 29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F/V Ocean Blue, Inc. | $0 | $151,478 | -- |
| Atlantic Capes Fisheries Salt Oyster Company, LLC | $0 | $131,162 | -- |
| Atlantic Shellfish, Inc. | $0 | $25,890 | -- |
| John & Nicholas, Inc. | $0 | $16,351 | -- |
| Ocean Pride, Inc. | $0 | $15,004 | -- |
| Ocean Gold, Inc. | $0 | $8,593 | -- |
| South Bay Shellfish Company | $0 | $6,861 | -- |
| Giacamo Pittaluga | $2,401 | $2,401 | 0% |
| Germanio Brothers Farms, LLC | $0 | $920 | -- |
| Axelsson Seiner, Inc. | $250,000 | $0 | -100% |
| Cape Clam, Inc. | $57 | $0 | -100% |
| Cape Island Shellfish, LLC | $8,852 | $0 | -100% |
| Cape Trawlers, Inc. | $5,152 | $0 | -100% |
| Evening Star, LLC | $20,049 | $0 | -100% |
| Five Fathoms, Inc. | $51,398 | $0 | -100% |
| Golden Nuggett, LLC | $24 | $0 | -100% |
| H&L Axelsson, Inc. | $250,000 | $0 | -100% |
| Joseph Alain Moro | $2,728 | $0 | -100% |
| Loper-Bright Enterprises, Inc. | $187,584 | $0 | -100% |
| Lund-Marr Trawlers, LLC | $135,243 | $0 | -100% |
| Miss Madeline, LLC | $993 | $0 | -100% |
| MNT. Vernon, LLC | $5,098 | $0 | -100% |
| Ocean Leader, LLC | $229,299 | $0 | -100% |
| Scombrus One, LLC | $89,610 | $0 | -100% |
| Elizabeth Haskin | $3,384 | $0 | -100% |
| RLB Commerical Fishing, Corp. | $13,419 | $0 | -100% |
| F Edward Wuerker | $276 | $0 | -100% |
| Brian Larsen | $6,891 | $0 | -100% |
| Lori A. Daniels | $370 | $0 | -100% |
| Willow Creek Winery, Inc. | $58,590 | $0 | -100% |
| Atlantic Warrior, Inc. | $25,783 | $0 | -100% |
| F/V Susan Marie, Inc. | $14,781 | $0 | -100% |
| Germanio Brothers Farms, LLC | $40,080 | $0 | -100% |
| Total subsidies | $1,402,062 | $358,660 | -74.4% |
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