The real cost of frozen farm funds
When farmers can’t farm, we all feel the pain. Right now, thousands of American farmers are caught in a perfect storm of frozen funds, canceled programs, and uncertain futures.
Here’s why that matters to every American who eats food (yep, that’s all of us).
Imagine you’re a farmer who just finished a major conservation project. You did everything right — followed all the guidelines, completed the work on schedule, met every requirement. Now imagine being told
“Sorry, you won’t get paid.”
That’s exactly what’s happening to farmers across America who participated in certain USDA conservation programs.
The immediate crisis centers on EQIP-IRA and CSP-IRA contracts — government programs designed to help farmers protect our soil and water while producing food. These funds are suddenly frozen, leaving farmers who’ve already done the work and invested the money holding the bag.
“If you signed one of these contracts, it appears that payments are currently suspended. Farmers and forest stewards across the US are being told, one contract at a time, that, yes, they have completed the work items in the contract according to NRCS standards and specifications, but no, they will not be receiving the promised cost share payment because the funds (or payment process, same outcome) have been frozen.” —Bill Fosher
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The hits keep coming:
Cuts slashing $2 billion from the Food for Peace program, eliminating a primary buyer for many farmers
Loss of Canadian buyers dropping long-standing cotton and grain contracts over trade concerns
Surging fertilizer costs from impending Canadian potash tariffs
Elimination of Climate Smart grants supporting sustainable farming practices
Suspension of organic farming support programs
Cancellation of critical research funding, including $50 million for sustainable agriculture at Kansas State
What makes this particularly painful is the timing. Many farmers are heading into planting season — a time when they need to buy seed, fertilizer, and fuel. Without the promised reimbursements for work they’ve already completed, some may struggle to put crops in the ground this spring.
“Over the past two days Skylar Holden, a 27-year-old, first-generation cattle producer in eastern Missouri, has posted multiple videos detailing how he signed a contract with NRCS,” Clayton reported. “He signed a contract with NRCS for $240,000 and now has $80,000 in material purchased and signed contracts to install water lines. Holden said he was told the contract was frozen and nobody knows when the money could be released.”
Think this doesn’t affect you? Think again.
My wife called to tell me that some friends of ours, who are cotton farmers in Oklahoma, just lost their biggest contract with a Canadian buyer. The buyer felt there was too much instability so he signed a deal with a cotton producer in Brazil. The Trump effect strikes again. — Carlos Turnbull
When farmers can’t farm effectively:
Food prices soar
Food security diminishes
Family farms collapse
Environmental protection weakens
Rural communities decline
Agricultural competitiveness falters
Trade relationships deteriorate
If you eat food (and I’m betting you do), this matters to you.
Here’s what you can do:
Contact your representatives
Demand restoration of frozen conservation funds
Support agricultural research funding
Advocate for food security programs
Push for stable trade policies
The situation is so serious that agricultural experts are advising farmers with certain USDA conservation contracts to—
🛑 “STOP WORK NOW” 🛑
—to avoid being stuck with huge bills for unreimbursed work.
Mark Reynolds, commenting on the situation, notes that roughly half of all contracts are currently paused. While some officials suggest the funds will eventually be released, farmers can’t pay their bills with promises.
As John Marble, a farmer who just completed two planting projects, puts it:
“All I’m trying to do is do good work, work that the American people want done.”
For now, farmers with EQIP-IRA or CSP-IRA contracts are advised to:
Check their funding source immediately
Consider pausing work on affected projects
Contact their local NRCS/USDA office to determine their contract status
Plan for potential non-payment or significant delays
The health of American agriculture affects us all. When we pull the financial rug out from under our farmers — through frozen conservation funds, lost international contracts, rising input costs, or canceled research funding — we’re setting ourselves up for a fall that will impact every American dinner table.
♩Want to learn more? Find the complete story and sources at OnPasture.com
Image ©2025 GaelMacLean
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