The Future of Farm Subsidies: Policy Trends to Watch
Climate policy, payment concentration debates, and WTO obligations are reshaping discussions about the next farm bill. Here's what's at stake.
October 12, 2026
Articles & Guides
Arkansas Rice and Cotton: Federal Payments by County
Arkansas is the nation's top rice state and a major cotton producer. Its federal payment profile reflects the economics of these historically subsidized commodities.
October 7, 2026
How Crop Diversification Affects Subsidy Eligibility
Farmers who diversify beyond traditional commodity crops face different federal support landscapes. Here's how program eligibility varies by crop type.
October 2, 2026
Transparency in Agricultural Payments: What the Data Shows
The US has made significant strides in farm payment transparency over the past two decades. Here's what the public record reveals — and what it still hides.
September 27, 2026
Wisconsin Dairy Subsidies: Milk Margin Protection Explained
Wisconsin's dairy farmers rely on the Dairy Margin Coverage program as a core part of their financial safety net. Here's how it works for the nation's second-largest dairy state.
September 22, 2026
How Payment Limits Work in USDA Programs
Congress sets caps on how much any one person or entity can receive in federal farm payments. The rules are more complex — and more porous — than they appear.
September 17, 2026
What Is the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and What Does It Do?
The FSA is the primary USDA agency that delivers farm programs at the county level. Here's how its structure shapes the data you see in SubsidyLookup.
September 12, 2026
Ohio's Farm Economy and USDA Payment Trends
Ohio is a significant corn, soybean, and dairy state — but its farm structure and geography create a distinct federal payment profile.
September 7, 2026
The Emergency Livestock Assistance Program: When Disasters Strike
ELAP fills gaps in livestock disaster coverage that LFP and LIP don't address. Here's what it covers and when it pays.
September 2, 2026
How to Compare Subsidy Data Across Fiscal Years
Year-over-year comparisons of USDA payment data are useful but require understanding what drives changes. Here's how to interpret the trends.
August 28, 2026
Indiana Soybean Farmers: Understanding Federal Support
Indiana is one of the nation's top soybean states. Here's how federal commodity programs support its soybean producers and what the payment data shows.
August 24, 2026
What Are USDA's Livestock Forage Disaster Program Payments?
LFP is the primary safety net for ranchers when drought reduces grazing availability. Here's exactly how payments are calculated.
August 19, 2026
Mississippi Delta Farming and Federal Assistance
The Mississippi Delta is one of America's most productive and most heavily subsidized farming regions. Here's the story behind the numbers.
August 14, 2026
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Explained
EQIP pays farmers to adopt conservation practices on working land. It's one of the fastest-growing parts of USDA's conservation budget.
August 9, 2026
How Farm Subsidies Are Reported and Who Oversees Them
Multiple agencies and watchdogs monitor USDA payment programs. Here's the oversight landscape and where public data comes from.
August 4, 2026
Georgia Peanut and Cotton Subsidy Programs
Georgia is the top peanut state and a major cotton producer. Here's how federal commodity programs support these two crops.
July 30, 2026
Why Some Farm Payments Are Redacted in USASpending Data
Millions of USDA payment records show "REDACTED" instead of a recipient name. Here's the law behind the redactions and what the data still shows.
July 25, 2026
Top USDA Assistance Programs by Total Dollars Paid Out
Which CFDA programs have generated the most total dollars since FY2001? The ranking reveals a lot about how the farm safety net actually works.
July 20, 2026
How Fiscal Year Differs from Calendar Year in USDA Data
USDA operates on a fiscal year that starts October 1. This affects how you should interpret payment data and compare years.
July 15, 2026
The Margin Protection Program for Dairy Farmers
Dairy farms operate on thin margins between milk prices and feed costs. The Dairy Margin Coverage program provides a safety net when that margin compresses.
July 10, 2026