Fairhope farmers impacted by LFPA federal funding cuts
FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture ending the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program has impacted foodbanks, schools and local farms.
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Mike McKenzie at McKenzie's Farm in Fairhope is bracing for the impact of not receiving that guaranteed income.
'I don't want to be negative, I don't like complaining, I chose this, and this is what we are going to do,' McKenzie said.
When LFPA funding was first introduced to McKenzie three years ago he had concerns, but quickly realized how much good it could bring to the community and his farm.
'Then I got word that a little lady in Citronelle, Alabama got a sack of potatoes with McKenzie's farm on it and it made me feel good,' McKenzie said.
In the past three years, he has sold over 930,000 lbs. of produce to food banks across the state.
'So, we're just going to have to come up with something different to offset it,' McKenzie said.
The money brought in by LFPA was used to supplement new equipment, more seed and manpower.
The cost of production exceeds their profit, making them more cautious now of how much they plant.
'I don't want it sitting out in the field if I can't do anything with it,' McKenzie said.
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McKenzie hopes the money will come back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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