6. Why did the U.S. government start subsidizing dairy farmers? \( \begin{array}{l}\text { a. To increase cheese consumption } \\ \text { b. To stabilize the agricultural economy } \\ \text { c. To support grocery stores } \\ \text { d. To encourage food waste }\end{array} \)

To determine why the U.S. government started subsidizing dairy farmers, let's analyze the options provided: a. **To increase cheese consumption**: While subsidies may indirectly affect cheese consumption by stabilizing prices, this is not the primary reason for the subsidies. b. **To stabilize the agricultural economy**: This is a strong possibility. The government often provides subsidies to help stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply of dairy products, which can protect farmers from market fluctuations. c. **To support grocery stores**: This is not a direct reason for subsidizing dairy farmers. Grocery stores benefit from stable prices, but the subsidies are aimed at the farmers themselves. d. **To encourage food waste**: This is unlikely to be a reason for subsidies, as the goal is generally to reduce waste and ensure food security. Based on this analysis, the most accurate answer is: **b. To stabilize the agricultural economy**.