On the Map

Geographic distribution of government payments as a proportion of gross cash income from farming. A substantial proportion of government payments to farmers is based on historical production of specific commodities, such as corn, oilseeds, wheat, rice, and cotton. Thus, payments represent a higher share of cash income in those areas of the country where production of these commodities is concentrated. When commodity prices are low, as they were in 2001, these payments become even more significant as components of farm income.