WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Several U.S. Agriculture Department subsidy programs would be phased out while other programs are beefed up under President Barack Obama's budget plan.
Obama's fiscal blueprint for fiscal year 2010 includes funding to allow the department to offer loans and grants for small business activities, renewable energy projects and telecommunication efforts.
However, it would reduce direct payments to the largest farmers, decrease crop insurance subsidies and eliminate cotton storage credits.
It also would eliminate the Resource Conservation and Development program and reduce program funding for overseas brand promotion.
Concerning nutrition programs overseen by the department, the supplemental Women, Infants and Children program would be funded to serve the more than 9.8 million participants. In addition, the budget outline includes a $1 billion per year authorization for the child nutrition program and supports a pilot program to help increase senior participation in the food stamp program.
The proposal calls for a $250,000 commodity program payment limit.
The budget would fully fund fire suppression costs, establish a discretionary contingent reserve for wildfires and institute reforms on use of fire management resources.
