I don't understand how you Consider Conservation Reserve Payments to be Agricultural Subsidies. They are rent for land that is used for wildlife habitat, wetlands, etc.

SEAN: We agree, that's of course what CRP payments are for. I was one of the people who worked to develop the idea for the program in the early 1980s and get it into the 1985 farm bil. Å subsidy is simply government support to private individuals or businesses for some cause deemed worthy, and while EWG happens to be a strong supporter of the CRP, we feel it is only fair to nonetheless describe the program as a form of subsidy...a form we happen to like and that we think compares favorably to other forms of subsidies to agriculture.--COOK

CRP is the result of a disaster created by the Secretary of Agriculture in the early 1970s. The Secretary promised farmers unlimited markets, that the government had created, for the all the commodities that farmers could produce. As a result the Secretary created nothing and as a consequence, thousands lost everything they had. There were murders, suicides,and divorces. The reasson was because of the mass over production when the government encouraged the use of land that should have never been ploughed up. The result was the CRP program to reidle this land. My question is when are taxpayers going to get some relief in paying for land that has become nothing more than private hunting preserves. Elimate farm subsidies entirely and force agriculture to compete on the open market economy instead of Congress using it to funnel money back to itself.

There is a need to make public subsidy info. And, yes, there is abuse in the farm subsidy program, as in all government programs, i.e., food stamps, medicare. But you do not tell the whole story. You have listed how many children are below the poverty level and how low the income is in those areas. Do you not stop to consider that it would be HIGHER if the farms were not operating? Do you think those farmers put the subsidy money directly into their pockets? No, in the majority of the cases, the subsidy money is returned to the local economy. Who do you think In many areas, the only jobs are on farms. Who drives the tractors? What about the local economy? Without government farm subsidies, in my family alone, there would be 10 people out of a job because the farm would not be making a profit.
Try to be non biased. Present all the facts and let the voters and consumers make up their minds without your views.
I realize this will not get posted, because it does not agree with your views.

Ms. Dozier: Well, obviously you're wrong about the posting part.

There are abuses and waste in government programs, I agree. But I don't agree that farm programs are, in effect, anti-poverty programs. If they were, we'd be targeting them to farms based on need. Which we don't. USDA and the federal reserve have shown, in fact, that population loss is greatest and business formation is lowest precisely in those places most dependent on subsidies.

Let me put it this way: if you wanted to create jobs in rural areas, is our current subsidy system the way you'd do it? Hard to think so.

We don't dispute that most working farms use subsidies to pay the costs of doing business. That doesn't mean it isn't a subsidy--it is.

Thanks for your comment--happy to post it.
--Cook

I don't understand all this - according to the database, there are several "farms" in my area that are receiving a great deal of money in subsidies. However, the land is in use, for cattle grazing and even crops. What is the subsidy money for? Isn't it supposed to be used to 'reward' farmers for not planting something? How can I cash in on this? I have about 10 acres and I promise that I won't plant ANYTHING if someone will give me some of this easy money!

Oh Lordy, Lordy the fun I could have as a FORMER partner of a subsidy admirin fellow!Did I ever see alot, and I learned. Buying farms and having them set on yearly payment plans to coincide with the subsidy disbursements! Helps make that farm payment.Free improvements! Ponds, fencing, and yes- payments to let property sit idle.Tax write offs, Oh the list goes on. It used to bore me to tears when I heard the farm poverty cry.Now I chuckle.

The thing to remember is that not all farmers or ranchers are standing in line at the subsidy trough. Most of those involved in animal agriculture are not big subsidy takers, with the exception of dairy.

Another thing about subsidies, it puts a farmer into a terrible position....In 1942 there was a Supreme Court decision called Wickard vs Filburn, wherein the SC held that the USDA has the right to regulate that which it subsidizes. Since they regulate virtually everything now, one might think it a redundant point, however, if you take $50 to help build a pond once, you are essentially cooked for life.

Farmers are generally not rich at all. They mostly trade dollars instead of getting compensation for their labor. Please shift your rancor from the farmers to the bureaucrats and the multinattional ag conglomerates. After all, no farmers, no food.

after retiring at age 29,and still recieve sugar subsidies,crp,plus rent on 4000 acres,i have found that land in brazil is relatively cheap,my soybeans grow 45-60 bushel,and there id very little gov't intervention,you just have to thank the american taxpayer for helping us out...brad

When farmers have a tough year they dont buy as many new tractors cars and pickups maybe not the new house or that new hogbarn, now for the electricians and plumbers and carpenters do not get that extra work thru the winter so we have to cut back maybe no vacation that winter or a new toys because we did not do as good as last year so when the farmers get the checks to make up the difference, where are our checks, if we can't make it peolpe go out of business, i say if the farmer can't make it there always is a farmer to buy his land

MIKE: Damned good point.--COOK

How in the world do farms like that get millions in subsidies??

All I'd like is a little help fixing the fencing and drainage here and I can do the rest. Can't even get that. Guess I'm not politically correct enough. Don't even need money really just a volunteer bunch of hippies and a backhoe would work.
Every time I check this site my blood pressure must sky rocket.

SUE F: A lot of people have your same reaction.

How do they get the money? They grow subsidized crops and they apply to USDA, and the commodity payments are made while the conservation programs too often get cut--or don't have enough money to go around even when they are fully funded.--COOK

Let's assume it's too politically difficult to eliminate farm subsidies. Here's my "quick fix" suggestion: Add back depreciation and interest deductions on the tax returns and require all subsidy money above breakeven to be returned to the Treasury. Then those little "family farms" would be truly helped for the first time since 1935.

HJW

Subsidy payments should be based on the most farmers in need with the least amount of adjusted Gross income and then open to larger entities. It also needs to include all other methods of farming in todays world. Produce farms get nothing and in todays world many farmers are barely surviving growing produce. Planting Corn and Soybeans is fine but they should not be the only ones that get the subsidy money. Soon there will be no "real" farmers left, and we will only be left with the Executive Political farmers that don't even know how to run a tractor. After all the real farmers have lost their farms, these unemployed farmers will be the ones running those tractors on these huge farms probably being offered minimum wage by these politicians and executives. Reverse the qualifying criteria lowest to highest instead of highest to lowest. Do an audit trail. Policitians should not be eligible for the money nor should non farming entities that only own land for the subsidy money. My god they have every ridiculous fine line that stops the real farmers from getting any help, lets put in the bold print that stops this corruption from happening. Not sure how we will ever see change though. We are spending millions trying to protect oil that the politicians (Republican and Democrat) own and are financially tied into. The roots run deep in Government and they know how to reap the reward from all of their government subsidy programs. They aren't going to change it without a major upheaval from citizens of the US that are fed up with it.
KG

Haven't been able to bring up individual names for N.D.

I have looked at your site before and some of it makes sense. I am a farmer. I grow cotton. You do not include all the facts in your statements. I guess you would rather eat food grown in China and Mexico. In these countries there are no regulations on to what can be applied to their crops, so you get to eat whatever they put on them. The clothing that is shipped here from China has formaldehyde on them.
The US companies supply Brazil and China with technology for free that US farmers have to pay out the nose for. Ask Monsanto.
I agree with you on the subsidies to the big farms. The intent of the original farm bills was to keep the small farms in business. Where I live, the big farmers are getting bigger and bigger because of the subsidies and the small farms are disappearing.
If prices were high enough to cover expenses and I could make some money, I would gladly give the subsidies back. The government has total control over the prices we receive for our cotton. If you post this I will be extremely surprised. JW

I have called my SENATOR from my district to complain about the large payments to a slect few, you no what I did,nt get a responce. My wife has a hundred sixty acres and she was willing to give her three hundred dollars back if they would stop all sub payments.

so, my friend that has never farmed a day in her life marries the son of a farmer in college. she teaches school for 13 years. at age 18 (in 2002),he decides the he and his brother will take up farming. then, they put HER name as the person to get the subsideries and she has received over $650,000 between 1995-2005. she never farmed. she's taught school her entire life. but she receives MY hard earned tax dollars???? what's wrong with this picture and WHERE can i write to have this changed. this is RIDICULOUS!! my husband and i have 20 acres and i'd NEVER try to get rich off of other people's hard work. that's just ridiculous!!! can't there be a "grandfather" effect and a CUT-OFF. the bottom fell out of the farming market in texas in the early 80's. anyone stupid enough to take up farming AFTER that fact should be ON THEIR OWN! let's take care of those that truly need it and let the other lazy people GET A JOB like the rest of us!!!!!!

I think the problem is that americans no longer have freedom. We have traded it for socialism . Americans lac basic economic knowledge period. subsidies are nothing more than government created theft,a sutraction from the nations progress or lielihood. When a farmer receives a subsidy, he is no longer creating wealth he is subtracting from it. This is why government has put us trillions of dollars in debt with no hope of future generations ever paying it. thats called bankruptcy folkes.But thats the price of socialism.

PLEASE---Stop this rediculous give away to the
most wealthy farmers. Probably half of our senators and congressmen
(Marion Barry) have large farms that get this money.

PLEASE STOP FARM Subsidys!

Bad news. The government's corrupt. We need a complete overhall of government to rid ourselves of rip- off experts padding each others pockets. Erase subsidies, erase price controls and let the free market take care of itself.I do not blame most small farmers; it's Washington.

I would like to know how many of our Senators or Representative get farm subsidy dollors--both national and state!!!!
I live in Arkansas

I agree that the subsities are crazy. You have to understand that many of us farmers do not like them either. But inorder to compete with all the other farms we must collect on them. If we dont we would be out of bussiness. Another thing you need to realize is that the reason that most of the money goes to the big farmers is because they are the farmers. Most of the people with the small payments are not fulltime farmers. Usally the are just someone with a little land. I agree the system is flawed and it needs to be changed but how do we go about it.

Alright, farmers don't really make money. For all of those people that keep talking about farmers and "get a real job like the rest of us", you obviously do not know anything. Farmers often work over 12 hour days because they have to get the crop in the make sure you eat, have clothes on your back, and money to spend. Cash is actually made out of cotton. Don't start talking about something you have no idea about.

I was in farming for years and I'n interested to see who is getting subsidies.

15.00 wheat...11.00 soybeans,5.00 corn sugar 27 cents lb...what farm crisis...there were more millinaires created last year in n.d. in ag than in the past 50 years...drop the darn subsidies

I live in cooke county texas and know most of the farmers. After reviewing the 1200 plus recepients, I know that most of them are not farmers, but succesful business men using farm subsides to enhance their business.

This farm subsidy is ok if it went to the proper people. PLEASE GET A HOLD OF THE BIG FRAUD BEFORE OUR GOOD COUNTRY GOES BROKE

subsides has been misused.Expecially in Southeast Missouri.Imagine being paid a big check for a tree farmer.Paying you not to grow.Most farmers don't even pay there workers min wage.No insurance,no work comp,no pension,5000 acres 6new tractors several silos,big barns,nice farm homes, 5 employee'sDon't need cdl to drive big riggs over the road to haul grain 50 miles.,no over dimension permits reqired to move eauipment,tax breaks out the wazoo.Time to go backwards sell your crop to the highest bidder get your monie and go home..You take it to the market and get what they'll pay.End of subject,

if all you people think farming is such a successful endeavor(subsidies,high commodity prices, etc.)then maybe y'all should try it for yourselves. go to your local fsa office and apply for a farm ownership loan or mortgage something and by you a farm. don't worry, you'll make it all back. after all,you say the government will support you

"Farmers often work over 12 hour days"... Hello! Many non-farmers work 12 hours a day too, but they do it 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year. Now really, how many 12 hour days do most farmers put in? And I'd be willing to compare 12-hour days. I see how hard my local farmers work. I see them hanging around the feed store, and meeting at the cafe for coffee every morning. If you punch a time clock with 1 hour for lunch and two 15-minute breaks, then maybe you could brag about working a 12 hour day.

My farm took a little money a few years ago because of the drought, but we had to hear about it from a friend, sure wasn't told by the govt that help was available! I remember thinking, Hey everyone else is getting help, why shouldn't we? But it felt a little sleezy.

We also got some money 10 years ago to install a rotational grazing system to improve the land and water shed (our creek runs into a state park lake... now we don't put cow poop in the creek). Guess what? Never heard about any of that available money from the govt... had to hear about it from a neighbor who worked for Dept of Cons. She got us right to the top of the list.

5 years ago, after she had moved away, I applied on my own for cost-share on fixing an erosion problem. Still haven't gotten to the top of the list. Probably not really even on the list LOL! Sure appears that the govt isn't trying to help those who need it, or put the money where it would do the most good for the environment, but they are helping folks they know. Govt can always find us when it is time for a farm survey, but they can't bother to send us info about the available programs.

It would be easy to feel pretty stupid for working so hard to break even on our farm, when my tax dollars are going to make the fat cats fatter. Broke my heart to see the top 20 in my zipcode... we know most of them.. good "Christian" folks with their hands in my pockets. Just because money is "available" and you happen to qualify under this corrupt system, doesn't mean you have to take it!

Corn is sky high, hay is almost unattainable, and we still pay farmers NOT to plant! And those who do plant are getting subsidies. How can anyone think any of this makes sense?

I would love to see statistics on how much of the land in crp truly has a thing to do with watershed or wildlife?

And lastly, it seems every major crop is subsidized. Why not cattle, sheep, and goats?

Hey, does Sam Donaldson still get a big subsidy check for the sheep ranch down in AZ?

I agree in some ways that the farm subsidy should either be altered or suspended. especially when grain prices are pretty good like they are now. most people know nothing of parity, but if parity was in effect for commodity prices corn would be 8.50/bushel and milk would be 41.00/cwt. what that means for people visiting this site that know nothing of farming and barely know where their meal comes from except that milk and eggs and corn meal,etc comes from the grocery is that instead of going to the grocery and spending 200 dollars for enough food to feed a family of 5 you would be spending around 450 dollars, and that is per week. now imagine a world where a dad and a mom that have 3 kids make a generous 75,000 dollars a year together, between groceries and 104.55 a barrel oil they would be spending around 34,000 dollars of their money to food and oil. if parity was in place in the ag marketplace we wouldn't need subsidy payments. my fear of removing subsidy payments is that day when (not if) commodity prices plummit back to the pre 1940's prices then farmers as a whole will be broke. without farmers this country and many others would starve to death. you can have all the money in the world but without food even the richest people would starve. in closing, for those people that know nothing of agriculture remember the next time you close on house we ( the farmer) has just signed a note for 6 of them and there all small enough to set inside of a tool shed and there only used 2 months out of the year, the next time you go out to buy a new car "we" just wrote a check to pay for a load of fuel to fuel our 6 new machines, when you stop at the gas station to fill up your new car "we" just burned that in 10 minutes of running in our fields.

I am a father to one son and two daughters. I am a husband to my lovely wife of fifteen years. I am a farmer. I have been farming for seventeen years. My wife and I both have college degrees' from the University of Arkansas. Never before have I felt sold out until I read all of these comments. Mr. Cook wants reform for himself and he knows this. If he gets all of the money for conservation our country would be in serious jeopardy. We would go back to hunting and gathering. That would be inhumane to go hunting. So I guess we would rely on China, Mexico, etc. I know that would go really well since they provide the USA with untainted products. Wake up people if these payments do not exist the cost of food would skyrocket. Not to mention realible and untainted. Mr. Cook has an agenda and it is not for the well being of the public. He has some other motive for he wants the funding for his projects which does not concern the saftey of his fellow American. By the way I have to buy groceries and clothes. I also pay taxes on these subsidies which is probably more than any of you make in a year.

A waste of taxpayer money is what this is...plain and simple. Just another abused welfare program by farmers. Why is it we don't have access to these farms for outdoor activities? Scam? You bet it is!

In minnesota if you buy a garden tractor for $1000 at Wal-Mart you pay $65 in sales tax. If you buy a $450000 combine you pay $0 sales tax. If I put up a shed for my business I have to depreciate it out for 30 years. A farmer does it in 3. If I want to go 4 wheeling with friends I buy the machine pay sales tax and buy my gas at the station. The farmer pays no tax, writes off the machine as farm equipment and fills it up with tax free gas from the barrel out back. A local farmer, ready to retire, made so much money last year his accountant made him buy a new tractor he didn't need so he wouldn't have to pay any income tax. Wouldn't it be nice if we got some of the welfare money back once in a while in the form of sales and income tax?

I am astonished at the rip-off to American Taxpayers that some farmers are recieving for subsidies. We have several in our county, Kleberg and Nueces that get these monies and then go and purchase land and high fence it and their family gets to hunt trophy deer on it... where is the logic??? THIS IS TAXPAYER MONEY THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE USING FOR PERSONAL GAIN... WHERE DOES IT END???

I farm in Walsh County ND you can see how much I have received in gov't payments there. It is a lot, I can't find where it says that some grants are actually loans, does this mean I can quit paying it back? Also why doesn't the IRS quit taxing me on the money, I have to give back 15% of everything I get. Is there somewhere that I can post the donations made to charities, I see all the contributions I have made to politicians is listed if I get googled. I don't live in a big house or drive fancy cars, take big vacation, or never mind I guess except for the apartment I live in I do. Lay off the farmers, because of farmers and the USA cheap food policy, americans spend less than 20 percent of their take home pay on food and the rest of the world spends over half and developing countries close to eighty percent. The farm bill includes so many more things than subsidies, it shouldnt even be called the farm bill. How would you like to not know when you will get a day off, or what time you will be home, have the banker on your ass every day, and know that your every move is watched by the likes of you all. I work hard, I deserve a nice thing once in a while, I really doubt any of you would work 5000-5500 hours a year(over 100 a week) for 4-5 dollars an hour. And that is after the payments I get. If you don't want safe clean food to feed your children, and you wouldn't mind going to the grocery store only to find the shelves bare, keep complaining, you just might get what you ask for.

I was married to a farmer knowing nothing about farming and all I remember is being asked to always sign a paper to get money. I was also given rehearsed questions to study incase there were any questions from auditors because if I didn't know anything we could get in trouble.

It is clear that Mr. Cook is not completely genuine when he points fingers at crop subsidies but supports CRP. It is a complete fraud that the government should so overwhelmingly subsidize farming, all as a method of control, with the dangling carrot of $ in front of people. It is stealing, and CRP and other "environmental" subsidies are just as guilty. The answer to all this is to stop ALL subsidies, Mr. Cook, not just the ones to which you object. The entire system is corrupt, and while I am very pleased that these statistics are available through your site, you ought to use it to promote the elimination of government spending, which is non-productive, instead of just slanting things toward your environmental agenda, as admitting by yourself regarding CRP. You embrace, ideologically, the same spirit as those at whom you point fingers.

I had a conversation with one of the top 100 recipients in his congressional district and he told me his subsidies were not enough to make a difference. Unfortunately I looked up his subsidies totals for his farm. It makes me sick... because they all complain about how bad things are, but they're not honest with you about how much they bring in from the tax payer/farm subsidy program. We need reform on the farm bill, as well as our current welfare system,
which is included in the farm bill because of the many food products provided with it. Let's give the landowner/renter control of the land they cultivate/graze/hunt/etc...
Let's also give the American farmer the capability compete on the world market and develop his own markets for his commodities/livestock/etc.. and pray it doesn't fall into the hands and control of the corporate giants of this great land.(no pun intended). This will result in the rebirth of creativism and ingenuity of the American entrepreneur and small business in small towns in America will once again begin to thrive.

A part of this great country which we need to preserve.

I was thumbing through my counties appauling amount of subsidy payments.Its funny some of them are dead,and others are not farmers in the sence that they ever actually farm. Many are wives,moms,dead relatives etc....Im sick and tired of paying these millionaires off the backs of hard working poor people.Stop the madness.