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A Kansas City Star six-month investigation finds that USDA programs, from farm subsidies to meat inspections, from food labels to protecting the environment, have been usurped by the richest farmers, the giant food conglomerates, the powerful lobbyists. Or they've simply fallen victim to red tape or mismanagement. It found that thousands of rich and large farmers exploit USDA payment limits; meat inspection system exposes the public to deadly disease; minority farmers are disappearing because of discrimination in the all-white USDA; and giant corporations take in millions of dollars to advertise their food products at taxpayer expense.