Federal funding freeze leaves U.S. farmers in financial limbo
A freeze on federal funding has left farmers across the U.S. struggling to cover essential costs, delaying conservation efforts and threatening the future of small and mid-sized farms.
Ayurella Horn-Muller & Naveena Sadasivam report for Grist.
In short:
- Farmers relying on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs face uncertainty after the Trump administration froze funding, delaying payments for conservation projects, disaster relief, and sustainable farming initiatives.
- Though courts have ordered the release of funds, USDA’s slow, piecemeal approach has left many still waiting, with less than 1% of promised conservation funds distributed.
- Farmers who are women, people of color, or LGBTQ+ fear their funding applications will be denied under new policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Key quote:
“This feels like an outright assault on sustainable agriculture, on small businesses, queer people, BIPOC, and women farmers.”
— Ang Roell, beekeeper and farm owner
Why this matters:
U.S. farms are already facing economic hardship, extreme weather, and rising costs. With natural disasters causing $22 billion in losses last year and farming incomes often negative, federal grants and subsidies provide a critical safety net. The freeze not only threatens small farms but could accelerate industry consolidation, pushing out independent farmers and increasing corporate control over agriculture. The delays in conservation funding may also worsen agriculture’s climate impact, as many of the frozen programs help reduce carbon emissions and improve soil and water quality.
