Angus King and Senate Democrats push for release of frozen federal farm funds
Mar. 31—Maine Sen. Angus King joined with Senate Democrats on Monday to introduce legislation that would force the Trump administration to release federal agricultural funding that has been withheld from farmers with signed contracts, including many in Maine.
The Honor Farmers Contracts Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make all past due payments as quickly as possible, forbid it from cancelling agricultural contracts without proof of a contract violation and prohibit it from closing agricultural offices without providing notice and justification to Congress.
"The Honor Farmer Contracts Act would ensure that Maine's farmers receive the federal funding from all signed agreements and contracts as quickly as possible to prevent any operations from having to shut down," King said. "This is a critical step to protect the Maine agricultural economy and food supply."
Maine farmers are still waiting for the USDA to release about $12 million in contractually obligated conservation grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, President Joe Biden's landmark climate legislation, despite a judge's order and USDA's promise to do so.
Farmers in Brunswick, Dresden, Freeport, West Gardiner and Whitefield are waiting on federal grant funding to thaw and money from signed contracts to implement conservation practices ranging from improved soil health to carbon sequestration to be paid out as promised.
The federal cuts were discussed at a Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association panel Friday.
"What we've just learned (Friday) is that the USDA, even though they have said that IRA funds are unfrozen, and that the contracts are going to move forward, we are finding out they are still holding up those funds," said Sarah Alexander, MOFGA's executive director, on Friday.
Without these funds, most Maine farmers couldn't afford these conservation programs, said Annie Watson, a first-generation dairy farmer in Whitefield who is the president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Just writing a manure management plan can cost up to $10,000, she said.
As much as she wants to protect the environment, Watson admits the freeze makes her hesitant to sign a new USDA conservation contract to build cattle stream crossings on some newly acquired land that would protect the water quality of the Sheepscot River.
"It's incredibly important that that water is protected," Watson said Friday. "If we go through all of these processes and at the end of it are not able to recoup any of the cost, it could absolutely tank our business. That's a hard gamble for folks to make."
If not quickly made whole, some farms will be forced to make difficult financial decisions, or even close.
Not all farms are facing a funding freeze, but bill supporters say almost all will be hurt by USDA program and staff cuts.
The USDA fired 6,000 employees in February who worked on issues ranging from food security to invasive crop diseases. A judge ordered a 45-day stay on the terminations.
"The economic sustainability of the Maine agricultural community requires constant change and innovation to remain competitive in this global marketplace," said Eric Veturini of the Agricultural Council of Maine. "USDA staffing and funding are all essential programs that support Maine farms."
The bill is cosponsored by 16 Democratic senators, including the following from New England: Peter Welch of Vermont, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
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