January’s LANDTHINK Pulse revealed 51.8% of respondents think that the federal government should subsidize farmers.
Judging by the results of last month’s Pulse question, the general public is as deeply divided as Republicans and Democrats in Congress, on the issue of farm subsidies. On Tuesday, the Senate passed the nearly $1- trillion farm bill, and will be signed by President Obama on Friday. The United States currently doles out approximately $20 billion annually to farmers in the form of direct payments. About 75% of that money is given to affluent farmers and the largest agricultural producers, the main argument for decades of those opposed to farm subsidies for farmers. There are different types of farm subsidies, but direct payments have been the largest source to famers and farmland owners, who get paid regardless of whether they grow crops or not.
Last month, the January Pulse asked: Should the federal government subsidize farmers? This was obviously a divided issue. Of all those who answered our informal online survey, 51.8% said “YES”, the other 48.2% said “NO”, government subsidies should not continue for farmers.
The new 5- year farm bill ends direct payments to farmers and is expected to save tens of billion of dollars. In its place, farmers can choose from new subsidies if they take a loss. Most of the savings from the cut in direct payments will be reinvested into federal crop insurance programs.
- 51.8% answered YES, the federal government SHOULD subsidize farmers
- 48.2% answered NO, the federal government SHOULD NOT subsidize farmers
Congratulations to Phil Williams, winner of the $50 Amazon gift card after answering the January Pulse question! Phil is a broker and land consultant with Carter Group Real Estate located in Jesup, Georgia.
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared the Pulse with friends and connections in the land industry.
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