Farm Program Payments

Farmers receive $16 billion annually in federal farm program payments. These payments go to 2 million recipients, both individuals and entities. It has been reported that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) did not ensure that these payments went only to those who meet eligibility requirements. This report evaluates: (1) how effectively USDA implemented 2002 Farm Bill provisions prohibiting payments to individuals or entities whose income exceeded $2.5 million and who derived less than 75% of that income from farming, ranching, or forestry operations; (2) the impact of the 2008 Farm Bill's income eligibility provisions on individuals who receive farm payments; and (3) the dist. of income of these individuals compared with all 2006 tax filers. Ill.