Federal Farmer Programs At Risk

Threat to Federal Agricultural Conservation Funding Under the Trump Administration

February 24, 2025

Over the last month, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced—then quickly withdrew—a pause on all federal agency grants and loans. Although swift legal action led to a temporary restraining order, uncertainty looms as broader Executive Orders remain in effect. Federal funding is the backbone of crucial conservation programs—programs that directly impact farmers, food security, and biodiversity. The time to act is now.

Here's how you can make a difference:

  • Call US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins 
    Urge her to honor the binding agreements USDA made with farmers, ranchers, and the organizations that support them, and to ensure that farmers receive the reimbursements they are owed. Sample script below. 
  • Call or Email Your Members of Congress
    Members of Congress will be in their home districts March 17-22—an ideal time to urge them to address the funding freeze’s impact on agriculture. Schedule an in-person meeting if possible, or send an email or voicemail. Click here to find the contact information for your members of Congress. Sample script below.

📢 Thank you for taking action! If you make a call or send and email, let us know how it went. Email Ashley at [email protected]


Sample Script for Contacting US Secretary Brooke Rollins

Call 202-720-7100 to share your story and explain how this inaction is impacting you and your livelihood, and use the below template to help craft your message:

My name is [YOUR NAME]. I live [AND/OR FARM, SUPPORT FARMERS, LAND STEWARDS, ETC) in [CITY/STATE].

I am very concerned about the current policies being put in place at USDA that will withhold funding, compromise the data of farmers and the community-based organizations that support them, reverse decades of progress towards achieving equity for underrepresented communities, and push our farmers off their land and communities into devastating economic and food insecurity.

I am asking you to lead by example in holding the USDA to the Prompt Payment Act, and ensure that farmers and the community-based organizations that serve them can receive the Congressionally-approved funding they need to keep growing food for our communities. I urge you to defend this funding.

Thank you for your service to our nation’s farmers.

 

Sample Script for Contacting Your Members of Congress

Subject: funding cuts threaten farmers and our community

Dear [Senator/Representative Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City/Town] in your district. I am deeply concerned about the recent attempts by the Trump administration to freeze federal funding for USDA programs. These include conservation initiatives, support for organic agriculture and financial assistance for farmers working to improve soil health and protect natural resources.

Rescinding funding for existing grants, loans, and cooperative agreements would severely harm farmers and the organizations that support them, directly impacting our local community.

What steps are you taking to protect farmers and ensure continued support for these critical USDA programs?

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Organization]