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Subsidies Take Different Form with Fruits, Veggies

The farm bill makes big payments to farmers who raise commodity crops such as cotton and soybeans. But it takes a different approach with fruit and vegetable crops.

Instead of making direct payments to farmers, it subsidizes research, pest eradication and child nutrition programs. Economists like that approach a lot better.

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NPR correspondent Chris Arnold is based in Boston. His reports are heard regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. He joined NPR in 1996 and was based in San Francisco before moving to Boston in 2001.