[JustaDumbBlonde]

"that and the gov’t paying farmers etc not to grow crops"

What government program is paying farmers not to grow crops?

[tatsinfla]

An agricultural subsidy is a governmental subsidy paid to farmers and agribusinesses to supplement their income, manage the supply of agricultural commodities, and influence the cost and supply of such commodities. Examples of such commodities include wheat, feed grains (grain used as fodder, such as maize or corn, sorghum, barley, and oats), cotton, milk, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, and oilseeds such as soybeans.

[tatsinfla]

here is another link to a story for you....

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/11/na-usda-urged-to-end-paying-farmers-not-to-grow-cr/

[Netizen]

Agricultural Adjustment Act
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1639.html

Conservation Programs
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=landing

Conservation Reserve Program
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2009/08/why-does-the-govt-pay-farmers.html

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/11/na-usda-urged-to-end-paying-farmers-not-to-grow-cr/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/study_farmers_willing_to_try_g.html

[Netizen]

Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm"