State, Local Governments Get Millions In Federal 'Farm Subsidies'

The historic purpose of the farm bill was to "ensure a stable food supply" and "to preserve the family farm." But, when issuing our The Federal Transfer ReportTM- Farm Subsidies & The Big Dogs, OpenTheBooks.com found that some of the largest subsidies were received by government in fiscal years 2008-2011. Federal farm subsidies have grown to such an extent that Uncle Sam's smaller cousins- who aren't traditional farmers, but smaller units of government- are receiving millions.

For example, state governments occupied two of the top six highest farm subsidy recipients:

- Number one: $8.541 million flowed to the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation and beat all private sector farm entities.

- Number six: $3.734 million flowed to the Washington Department of Natural Resources and was sixth on the Top 20 Recipients List.

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