By Andi Anderson
Public attitudes toward farmer payments have been analyzed through the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey (GFAPS) since 2022. This quarterly survey collects insights from a diverse group of 1,000 participants across the U.S.
Survey findings consistently show the strongest support for payments following natural disasters, averaging 80% approval. Conversely, payments tied to low crop prices receive only 43% support, reflecting public skepticism about subsidies unrelated to crises.
Recent supplemental funding from the 118th Congress aligns with these trends, with $20 billion allocated for disaster relief and $10 billion for crop price-related losses.
Trade-related subsidies gained notable traction after the 2024 presidential election, with approval increasing to 57% from a previous average of 51%. Analysts attribute this change to heightened tariff discussions and political salience.
Republican and Independent participants were key drivers of this shift, influenced by campaign rhetoric surrounding proposed tariffs and their potential impacts on agriculture.
Conservation programs promoting sustainable practices align with moderate public support and stable funding since 2015. Similarly, crop insurance benefits rank as the second most popular form of farmer payment, reinforcing public interest in safeguarding food security.
While the public broadly supports disaster relief and conservation funding, there is less enthusiasm for subsidies based solely on crop price fluctuations. These findings underscore the need for agricultural policies that balance public priorities with farmer stability.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Illinois, Business, Crops