United efforts are key to protect rural America from funding-freeze damage
Participants in a Washington, D.C., fly-in sponsored by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow included, from left, Liz Tiger and Rick Bell, of Dakota Rural Action, Travis Entenman and Ross Wright, of Northern Prairies Land Trust, and Micayla Ter Wee, of United Today, Stronger Tomorrow. (Courtesy of Travis Entenman)
My recent trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow (UTST), was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when community members unite to educate decisionmakers about the priorities they've identified as most important back at home. Alongside 40 mostly rural and remote leaders from a broad range of organizations, sectors, and elected offices across eight states, we brought critical issues to the forefront by sharing specific, data-supported, real-world impacts of freezing, cutting, or clawing back federal investments in our communities. Together, we were able to lift up rural and remote voices in the halls of power.
Northern Prairies Land Trust (NPLT) has long championed conservation efforts across South Dakota. Our work preserving grasslands and advocating for farmers and ranchers aligns perfectly with UTST's own commitment to developing grassroots leaders to advocate on their own behalf for priorities that they've identified. In half-a-dozen meetings, we emphasized the urgent need to address the U.S. Department of Agriculture funding freeze, which is jeopardizing vital conservation programs and leaving producers without promised resources.
Funding freezes and staff cuts pull the rug out from under farmers
The USDA funding freeze has placed farmers in an untenable position, with many struggling to cover costs for projects initiated under programs like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). As I've noted in recent writings, this freeze undermines an already fragile trust between producers and government agencies. Farmers and ranchers who have invested in fencing, cover crops, and renewable energy systems are now left uncertain about their financial futures. Our advocacy aimed to restore that trust by educating policymakers about the dire consequences of interrupting these federal investments, choosing not to honor existing contracts, or refusing to release funds critical to sustaining rural and remote economies.
While streamlining the federal government is a valid goal, it should not come at the expense of rural and remote communities and the environment. We need targeted solutions that address inefficiencies without jeopardizing vital conservation programs. During my meetings with our members of Congress, I emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach that considers the unique needs of agricultural communities. Their reactions, both positive and surprised, emphasized the importance of flying 'experts from the field' to Washington, D.C., to share, face-to-face, the fruits of our experiences 'on the ground.'
The USDA's actions threaten the progress we have made in promoting regenerative agriculture and conservation. It is imperative that we reverse these harmful cuts and ensure that farmers have the resources they need to protect our land and water. My conversations in Washington underscored the urgency of this issue, and I urge policymakers to prioritize the needs of our agricultural communities.
Despite these challenges, our meetings with lawmakers were encouraging. Our members of Congress expressed a willingness to explore solutions that would restore funding and support farmers who have already invested in conservation projects. The discussions highlighted the importance of organizations like NPLT and UTST in bridging the gap between local needs and federal policy. These moments of collaboration underscored a shared commitment to protecting both agricultural livelihoods and natural resources.
As we move forward, it is clear that unity, education, and advocacy are key to overcoming challenges like the USDA funding freeze. The positivity and progress from our meetings in Washington give hope that solutions are within reach. In fact, this week, UTST will join local farmers, community organizations, and health centers for the South Dakota Stronger Tomorrow Rural Bus Tour with members of Congress who are home on recess. This time, the policymakers will be on our turf, and I anticipate it will result in an even deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities federal investments can manifest in South Dakota. What's certain is that together with partners like UTST, we will continue to champion producers, conservationists, and rural and remote communities — proving that united efforts today truly lead to a stronger tomorrow.
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Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
United efforts are key to protect rural America from funding-freeze damage
Participants in a Washington, D.C., fly-in sponsored by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow included, from left, Liz Tiger and Rick Bell, of Dakota Rural Action, Travis Entenman and Ross Wright, of Northern Prairies Land Trust, and Micayla Ter Wee, of United Today, Stronger Tomorrow. (Courtesy of Travis Entenman) My recent trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow (UTST), was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when community members unite to educate decisionmakers about the priorities they've identified as most important back at home. Alongside 40 mostly rural and remote leaders from a broad range of organizations, sectors, and elected offices across eight states, we brought critical issues to the forefront by sharing specific, data-supported, real-world impacts of freezing, cutting, or clawing back federal investments in our communities. Together, we were able to lift up rural and remote voices in the halls of power. Northern Prairies Land Trust (NPLT) has long championed conservation efforts across South Dakota. Our work preserving grasslands and advocating for farmers and ranchers aligns perfectly with UTST's own commitment to developing grassroots leaders to advocate on their own behalf for priorities that they've identified. In half-a-dozen meetings, we emphasized the urgent need to address the U.S. Department of Agriculture funding freeze, which is jeopardizing vital conservation programs and leaving producers without promised resources. Funding freezes and staff cuts pull the rug out from under farmers The USDA funding freeze has placed farmers in an untenable position, with many struggling to cover costs for projects initiated under programs like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). As I've noted in recent writings, this freeze undermines an already fragile trust between producers and government agencies. Farmers and ranchers who have invested in fencing, cover crops, and renewable energy systems are now left uncertain about their financial futures. Our advocacy aimed to restore that trust by educating policymakers about the dire consequences of interrupting these federal investments, choosing not to honor existing contracts, or refusing to release funds critical to sustaining rural and remote economies. While streamlining the federal government is a valid goal, it should not come at the expense of rural and remote communities and the environment. We need targeted solutions that address inefficiencies without jeopardizing vital conservation programs. During my meetings with our members of Congress, I emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach that considers the unique needs of agricultural communities. Their reactions, both positive and surprised, emphasized the importance of flying 'experts from the field' to Washington, D.C., to share, face-to-face, the fruits of our experiences 'on the ground.' The USDA's actions threaten the progress we have made in promoting regenerative agriculture and conservation. It is imperative that we reverse these harmful cuts and ensure that farmers have the resources they need to protect our land and water. My conversations in Washington underscored the urgency of this issue, and I urge policymakers to prioritize the needs of our agricultural communities. Despite these challenges, our meetings with lawmakers were encouraging. Our members of Congress expressed a willingness to explore solutions that would restore funding and support farmers who have already invested in conservation projects. The discussions highlighted the importance of organizations like NPLT and UTST in bridging the gap between local needs and federal policy. These moments of collaboration underscored a shared commitment to protecting both agricultural livelihoods and natural resources. As we move forward, it is clear that unity, education, and advocacy are key to overcoming challenges like the USDA funding freeze. The positivity and progress from our meetings in Washington give hope that solutions are within reach. In fact, this week, UTST will join local farmers, community organizations, and health centers for the South Dakota Stronger Tomorrow Rural Bus Tour with members of Congress who are home on recess. This time, the policymakers will be on our turf, and I anticipate it will result in an even deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities federal investments can manifest in South Dakota. What's certain is that together with partners like UTST, we will continue to champion producers, conservationists, and rural and remote communities — proving that united efforts today truly lead to a stronger tomorrow. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
USA Today
25-02-2025
- USA Today
Ag Briefs: USDA says it will release $20M in frozen farmer funds
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WASHINGTON USDA says it will release $20 million of frozen farmer funds The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release approximately $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government, the agency said late on Thursday. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the released funds will go to honor contracts that were already made directly with farmers, Reuters reported. The USDA is releasing $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, it said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. Milwaukee, Wisconsin How much do Wisconsin consumers spend on groceries? 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Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
USDA lifts Trump freeze on some funding owed to farmers, vast majority remains on hold
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will release about $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government. The sum represents a tiny sliver of program funding the USDA suspended after the White House's broad freeze of federal loans and grants last month. Although the administration rescinded the memo ordering the freeze and it has been blocked in court, a federal judge has said the government was still withholding funds. About 1,000 Iowa and Midwest farmers said this month they're owed $11 million for conservation work they completed last year. The bulk of the money — $9.6 million — is owed to Iowa farmers, the Iowa Soybean Association said. The Trump administration's actions, part of a broad government review now underway, also have left in doubt another $86 million promised Iowa and Midwest farmers under a five-year "climate smart" agriculture initiative approved during the Biden administration. Practical Farmers of Iowa said Friday the group is hopeful USDA will pay farmers for planting cover crops and other conservation work they've completed. But it's still unclear when the federal government will pay the group for its work, a commitment that's supposed to reach about $4.4 million this year. Meanwhile, the Conservation Districts of Iowa, a nonprofit that provides farmers with technical expertise on conservation efforts statewide, has laid off 38 employees because of the spending freeze. As of Friday, the group, which relies on three different grants from the USDA, had not received word that its money had been restored, according to Dien Judge, executive director of the organization. "Our money gets direct deposited. I've been checking our accounts several times a day to see if the money is there because I really would love to bring our people back," Judge said. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the $20 million in released funds will go to honor contracts that were made directly with farmers, according to a statement on the USDA's website. The contracts were reached under the the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the statement said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. '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," Mike Lavender, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's policy director, said in a statement Friday. The amount the USDA is releasing represents roughly 1% of the Inflation Reduction Act funding, he said. "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," he said, adding that the USDA should "urgently provide specificity and clarity" on the money's release and swiftly honor its legal obligations to farmers and organizations." In her statement, Rollins said the agency is still reviewing Inflation Reduction Act funding. The agency's review of the grants and contracts backed by those funds is part of its sweeping review of more than 400 USDA programs. The Trump administration has said the funding for programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. But the impact has been immediate and wide-ranging, holding up cash assistance for ranchers to fix cattle watering systems and to help corn growers plant cover crops to curb wind erosion. Staff writer Donnelle Eller and Kevin Baskins contributed to this article, which also contains material from Reuters. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: USDA to release $20 million to farmers amid Trump funding freeze
