Manatee County farmers, growers may feel budget cut pains - Lakewood Ranch Herald - BradentonHerald.com

MANATEE — Crop and farm-trade subsidies would be shaved under the Obama administration’s fiscal 2011 budget proposed Monday, one of the steps being considered in an time of soaring budget deficits.

“It’s time we put our fiscal house in order,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

Farm subsidies traditionally go to farmers who grow staple crops, such as rice, wheat, soybeans and corn.

Although Manatee County farmers typically don’t receive subsidies because their specialty crops — citrus, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables — don’t qualify, they could still feel the effects of federal budget cutting.