It would be interesting to see how many "farmers" actually farm their acreage. I was surprised years ago to learn that these "farmers" were actually leasing their land to big conglomerates like Pioneer seed. Were the subsidies just another way to benefit big business?
Are you aware that there are subsidies that pay farmers NOT to plant a field?
Yes, there are farm subsidy programs in the United States that have historically paid farmers not to plant crops, though the specifics have evolved over time. One of the most well-known examples is tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that began during the Great Depression to stabilize agricultural markets and support farmers. Today, this concept is most closely associated with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), established in 1985.
Under the CRP, farmers are paid to take environmentally sensitive land out of active crop production and instead plant species that improve soil health, water quality, or wildlife habitats. Essentially, they’re compensated to "not plant" traditional crops like corn or wheat on that land. The payments are typically annual, based on rental rates for the land, and can last for 10-15 year contracts. In 2023, for example, the USDA reported that CRP enrolled about 23 million acres, with farmers receiving payments to maintain these conservation practices.
There’s also a historical precedent with programs like the Soil Bank in the 1950s and 60s, which directly paid farmers to leave land fallow to reduce surplus production. While that specific program no longer exists, the CRP is its modern equivalent in spirit, though it’s framed more around conservation than just production control.
Does that answer what you were looking for, or did you have a specific program or region in mind?