WASHINGTON – Federal farm subsidies went to 534 Winona County famers in 2020, according to a watchdog agency that analyzes U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The largest payments, totaling $669,000, were to Daley Farms of Lewiston. The countywide summary was from the Environmental Working Group, an activist organization examines subsidies and toxic chemical, drinking water pollutant, and corporate accountability issues. The EWC report includes data are through June 30. Not included are crop insurance premium subsidies. The leading Winona County recipients:
Tax dollar transparency
The Environmental Working Group works to unseal USDA data are not transparent. These “hidden” data include many payments made to recipients through cooperatives. These pass-through payments to end-recipients have not been made public by USDA.
Daley Farms, Lewiston, $668,900.
Emerald Springs Dairy, Plainview, $507,400
D&D Dairy, Rushford, $472,300.
Sauer’s Valley View Farms, Lewiston, $437,000.
Valley Acres Dairy, Lewiston, $363,200.
Clear Crest Farms, Lewiston, $334,000.
Heritage Hills Dairy, Lewiston, $260,000.
Clarks Farms, Rollingstone, $$254,000.
Quarry Hill Dairy, Rollingstone, $$243,100.
Verthein Dairy, Altura, $240,800.
Greden Farns, Altura, $239,100.
Meyer Bros, Rushford, $238,800.
Speltz Dairy, Altura, $230,200.
Brogan Oak Heights Dairy, St. Charles, $217,600.
Joel Luhmann, Rushford, $199,200.
CCC (a lender), Lewiston, $184,800.
Riefland Holstein, Utica, $158,000.
Sobeck Brothers F, Winona, $156,300.
Ifk Dairy, Utica, $155,500.