The History of US Farm Subsidies: From the New Deal to Today
Federal farm support has existed for nearly a century. Understanding its history explains why the system looks the way it does today.
June 1, 2026
Articles & Guides
North Dakota: America's Most Subsidized State Per Farmer?
North Dakota consistently ranks at or near the top for USDA payments per farm. Here's why the Northern Plains model generates such high per-operator payments.
May 27, 2026
How USDA Emergency Loans Work During Droughts
When drought damages crops and cash flow tightens, USDA emergency and operating loans provide a critical bridge. Here's how farmers access them.
May 22, 2026
Minnesota's Farm Subsidy Landscape by County
Minnesota's agriculture spans corn-soybean country in the south, wheat and sugar beets in the northwest, and specialty crops throughout. Its subsidy map is equally varied.
May 18, 2026
What Happens to Subsidies When Farms Change Hands?
Farm sales, inheritances, and lease arrangements all affect subsidy eligibility. Here's how payment rights transfer — and the limits involved.
May 13, 2026
Illinois Corn Subsidies: Numbers Behind the Nation's Second-Largest Corn State
Illinois grows more corn than any state except Iowa. Its subsidy profile reflects the economics of high-yield, high-input corn-soybean production.
May 8, 2026
The Livestock Disaster Assistance Program Explained
When drought, wildfire, or extreme weather damage grazing land or livestock, these USDA programs step in. Here's how they work.
May 3, 2026
Kansas Wheat Farmers and Federal Assistance
Kansas is the nation's leading wheat state, and wheat's economics make it one of the most consistently subsidy-dependent commodities. Here's how the programs work for Kansas farmers.
April 28, 2026
How to Read a USASpending.gov Award Record
USDA payment records contain dozens of fields. Here's what the key ones mean and how SubsidyLookup simplifies the picture.
April 23, 2026
Understanding the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP pays farmers to take sensitive land out of production. It's one of the largest conservation programs in the world — and it shows up prominently in USDA payment data.
April 18, 2026
Nebraska's Top USDA Subsidy Recipients
Nebraska is one of the country's leading corn, soybean, and cattle states. Here's a look at who receives the most federal agricultural assistance.
April 12, 2026
How Farm Subsidies Changed Under the 2018 Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill made key changes to commodity, conservation, and disaster programs. Here's what shifted and what stayed the same.
April 7, 2026
The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Program Explained
PLC is the price-focused alternative to ARC. When commodity prices fall below Congressional reference prices, PLC pays the difference.
April 2, 2026
What Are USDA Farm Subsidies? A Beginner's Guide
Federal farm subsidies have shaped American agriculture for nearly a century. Here's what they are, who gets them, and how to look them up.
March 26, 2026
How to Look Up Farm Subsidy Payments in Your County
SubsidyLookup lets you drill from state to county to individual program. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough.
March 21, 2026
The 5 Largest USDA Subsidy Programs Explained
These five CFDA programs account for the majority of all USDA direct payments. Here's how each one works.
March 15, 2026
Iowa Farm Subsidies: America's Corn Belt Heavyweight
Iowa consistently ranks among the top states for total USDA assistance. Here's a look at the programs and counties driving those numbers.
March 9, 2026
Understanding CFDA Numbers: How Federal Assistance Programs Are Classified
Every federal assistance program has a CFDA number. Here's what those numbers mean and how SubsidyLookup uses them.
March 4, 2026
Texas Farm Subsidies: A Deep Dive Into the Lone Star State's Federal Payments
Texas is massive in land and agriculture — and its USDA payment profile reflects that complexity, spanning cotton, cattle, and disaster programs.
February 27, 2026
What Is the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) Program?
ARC is one of the two primary commodity support programs in the current farm bill. Here's how it works and who benefits.
February 22, 2026