Thousands of U.S. farmers are wondering when they’ll get their money from federal conservation program contracts. Many are barely hanging on without the funding. The bulk of agriculture conservation program payments has been held up by President Trump's spending freeze. Nearly $20 billion dollars was set to go out to farmers this year but nearly all is still blocked.
Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday that a small portion of the conservation contract funding with farmers would be released.
“In alignment with White House directives, Secretary Rollins will honor contracts that were already made directly to farmers. Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.”
The announcement brought a swift response from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. NSAC Polity Director Mike Lavender responded that Americam farmers need real support, not just what was released.
“While USDA fires its staff and deliberates whether or not to honor its own legal contracts, tens of thousands of farmers are being left in limbo. The ‘first tranche’ [portion] released this week represents roughly one percent of the IRA funding USDA guaranteed farmers through signed contracts from CSP and EQIP alone beginning in FY2023 – meaning that from coast to coast, countless farmers are waking up today still uncertain of how they’ll make ends meet or whether USDA will honor its word.
The NSAC Policy Director says farmers are still in dire straits. “We urge USDA to urgently provide specificity and clarity for how it will release frozen funds, fully reopen conservation program enrollment, and swiftly honor its legal obligations to farmers and organizations by immediately releasing funding on all signed contracts.”
The government announcement Thursday offered no timetable on when, or if remaining contracts with farmers would be fulfilled. Secretary Rollins said the ongoing review showed some conservation contracts were identified as having “nothing to do with agriculture”.
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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