Farm Commodity Programs

Overview

Throughout American history the federal government has used its legislative power to promote farm policies, and commodity programs are a direct extension of those policies. Depending on how the term "farm commodity program" is defined, programs have existed since the late 1700s. From that time until the beginning of the 20th century, federal legislation developed that provided free land to anyone willing to settle and farm it, creating an independent family farm system. Although not targeted specifically at commodities, the net result was an increase in commodity production. During the mid-1800s and continuing through the 1920s, federal farm policy focused primarily on education, research, and some marketing assistance. Legislation during this period created the Cooperative Extension Service and exempted farmer cooperatives from antitrust regulation in an effort to improve farm production and marketing. This legislation helped improve farm productivity, but farm income was still unstable and often low. Read the full overview

Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.

Major Statutes

Regulations

Case Law

Note: Recently summarized cases are listed and linked in Recent Postings.

Administrative Law Decisions

Center Research Publications

Congressional Research Service Reports

Reference Resources