 how much do farm subsidies cost us  congress is debating the farm bill this week but they are ignoring the fact they could potentially be saving the taxpayers billions of dollars in money that is padding farmers pockets here are some statistics relating to michigan rsquo s direct payments to farmers from 1995 through 2012 michigan ranks 22nd out of 50 states in subsidies received including 302 billion in commodity subsidies 952 million in crop insurance subsidies 536 million in conservation subsidies 359 million in disaster subsidies 59 percent of farms in michigan did not collect subsidy payments according to usda 10 percent collected 71 percent of all subsidies amounting to 279 billion over 18 years for a website where you can view subsidies from all over the country by state county and even down to the zip code level click on this link  http farmewgorg  19  