U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Food, Conservation, and Energy Act

2008

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act expands farm subsidies, and it is enacted over a presidential veto.

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act

2002

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act reverts to old-style subsidy increases and price supports as farm-state politicians reject the modest reform proposals of the Bush administration. An expe...

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act

1996

Congress changes course in farm policy with the passage of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act -- the "Freedom to Farm" law. The law is designed to allow farmers greater planting fle...

Food Security Act expands subsidies

1985

Despite the Reagan administration's proposals to cut farm subsidies, the poor shape of farm finances during the 1980s prompts Congress to pass the expensive Food Security Act of 1985. This law adds...

Food Stamp Act creates new welfare program

1964

The Food Stamp Act created what would become one of the largest welfare programs, and one known for high levels of fraud and abuse. The program currently costs federal taxpayers about $35 billion a...

Agricultural Trade Development Act

1954

The Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act creates various export subsidy programs designed to unload into foreign markets excess production caused by U.S. price supports. Unfortunately,...

Agriculture Adjustment Act extends subsidies

1949

A new Agriculture Adjustment Act extends crop price support and subsidy policies, adds subsidies for the dairy industry, and puts farm programs into permanent law. Since 1949 farm legislation has i...

Farmers Home Administration subsidizes loans

1946

The Farmers Home Administration is established to make loans for farm activities, rural housing, and other items.

Agriculture Marketing Agreement Act

1938

The Agriculture Marketing Agreement Act establishes federal "marketing orders" for dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other products. Marketing orders are producer cartels designed to limit co...

Rural Electrification Act

1936

The Rural Electrification Act initiates extensive rural subsidies that continue in various forms today.

Tobacco Control Act controls tobacco production

1934

The Tobacco Control Act imposes quotas on tobacco production.

Agricultural Adjustment Act

1933

The Agricultural Adjustment Act, and subsequent New Deal laws, create the forerunners of today's major farm subsidy programs. The main thrust of the AAA is to limit production in order to raise pri...

Smoot-Hawley Act starts trade war

1930

A rising protectionist sentiment is stimulated by President Hoover's call to increase agricultural tariffs to help farmers. Congress responds with the Smoot-Hawley Act, which greatly increases tari...

Federal Farm Loan Act creates "land banks"

1916

The Federal Farm Loan Act creates cooperative "land banks" to provide loans to farmers. Legislation during the 1930s expands this Farm Credit System, and today the FCS is a 50-state network of fina...