Farmers on the hook for millions after Trump freezes USDA funds

[Zorro]

The White House had repeatedly said the funding freeze would not impact benefits that go directly to individuals.

Farmers report missing millions of dollars of funding they were promised by the U.S. Agriculture Department, despite promises from the Trump administration that a federal funding freeze would not apply to projects directly benefiting individuals.

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump ordered the Agriculture Department to freeze funds for several programs designated by President Joe Biden’s signature clean-energy and health-care law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The freeze paused some funding for the department’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which helps farmers address natural resource concerns, and the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides financial assistance for farmers to improve their infrastructure.

Farmers who signed contracts with the Agriculture Department under those programs paid up front to build fencing, plant new crops and install renewable energy systems with guarantees that the federal government would issue grants and loan guarantees to cover at least part of their costs. Now, with that money frozen, they’re on the hook.

Laura Beth Resnick, who runs a Maryland flower farm, said she signed a contract for the Agriculture Department to cover half of a $72,900 solar panel installation. In late January, she said, she was told her reimbursement payment was rejected due to Trump’s executive order.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/10/farmers-agriculture-funding-frozen/

[Autumn]

1. Sucks to be them. I'm sure politicians will join together to bail them out.

[sakabatou]

5. Nah, that only happens to banks

Maybe Big Ag, but not the "small fry".

[GreenWave]

2. FAFO

[travelingthrulife]

3. Let it rain, I guess.

Those small farmers will need to re-read Project 2025.

[sakabatou]

4. "But are funds and farm hands!"

We told you the leopard would eat your face.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. Farmers overwhelmingly voted for tRump.

Didn't they know he has an M.O. of shafting others?

Promise the world, then pull the rug out from under them?

He did say during the campaign..."I don't care about you! I just need your vote."

Farmers who voted for tRump should be angry and learn that once a snake, always a snake. But will they?

[CrispyQ]

7. The CA farmers that voted for Trump & were angry about the water he transferred said they still support him. -nt

[suegeo]

8. American Soybean Association gives kitten mewl back.

This is more for a
https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/soy-growers-urge-climate-smart-payments-to-farmers-to-resume-2/

U.S. soybean farmers are urging USDA to resume processing of payments to farmers and grant recipients under contracts made by USDA under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program (PCSC). Grant recipients have been notified recently that funds associated with the PCSC program have been paused while the new Trump administration reviews various grant programs.

[suegeo]

9. Putin's puppet also screwing over organic farmers

Adding here to kick this OP back to the top.

https://www.eenews.net/articles/usda-pauses-2-organic-programs-leaving-farmers-on-the-hook-for-millions/

Federal officials are continuing to withhold money for a pair of major organic agriculture programs that make payments directly to farmers, according to three people familiar with the matter, jeopardizing millions of dollars in crucial funding just ahead of planting season.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has yet to release funding for the programs, which was stopped after President Donald Trump directed agencies to halt spending, even though federal courts ordered an end to the across-the-board freeze.

The pause on the $85 million Organic Market Development Grant program and the $100 million Transition to the Organic Partnership Program has jolted farmers, nonprofits and businesses struggling to make planting and hiring decisions. Even if the pause on funding is lifted, it could put farmers out of business.

[UTUSN]

10. K&R

[BoRaGard]

11. "Ha ha. Suckers and losers. Ha ha." - Felon-47 (R) and Presidont Muck (R)

[RJ-MacReady]

12. oh well

No sympathy whatsoever. They voted for this.