What was the primary legal argument presented by the farmer in Wickard v. Filburn?

The correct answer highlights the farmer’s belief that he should be exempt from federal regulations because he intended to use the wheat solely for personal consumption rather than for sale. This argument was rooted in his assertion that since the wheat he grew was not going to enter the market, it should not be subject to federal agricultural quotas established by the Agricultural Adjustment Act.

The significance of this case lies in the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Commerce Clause, which ultimately determined that even personal use of wheat could affect interstate commerce by influencing market demand and supply. This pretext allowed the federal government to regulate activities that, at first glance, appeared purely local or personal. By asserting that his non-commercial activity was exempt, Wickard sought to establish a boundary for federal authority, but the Court ruled against this view, reinforcing the broader interpretation of federal power. This ruling set a precedent for increased federal regulation of agricultural production and the economy in general.