Bachmann's farm income, according to Bachmann's disclosures

The Los Angeles times did a lengthy takeout on Michele Bachmann's income from government and farm subsidies, a piece that prompted questions from Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace during the congresswoman's announcement-eve appearance today.

Bachmann insisted that the family farm in question never profited her direct family.


"Number two, regarding the farm, the farm is my father-in-law's farm. It's not my husband and my farm. It's my father-in-law's farm. And my husband and I have never gotten a penny of money from the farm," Bachmann said.

But her financial disclosures in 2009 and 2010 show her getting between $15,000 and $50,000 from the Bachmann Family Farm LP.

The farm got north of $250,000 in government subsidies, according to reports.

To Bachmann's fans, such questions likely won't matter. But such moments easily become fare for a rival's ads.

UPDATE: "I have answered reporter inquiries before about Rep Bachmann and farm subsidies. The farm has belonged to her in-laws and has been operated by them. They made all decisions concerning subsidies. Rep. Bachmann and her husband have not received any financial benefit from the farm."

A senior Bachmann adviser said the farm was put into a trust to allow for succession years ago, and that despite her being "formally listed as a beneficiary from the farm," that income goes to her mother-in-law.

This article tagged under: Michele Bachmann