FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contact: Laura Zaks<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
press@sustainableagriculture.net <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tel. 347.563.6408<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Release:<\/strong> Unlawful Federal Funding Freeze Causing Confusion and Harm on Farms and in Communities Nationwide <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Secretary of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins must quickly restore order and ensure USDA honors its legal commitments to farmers, communities<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington, DC, February 7, 2025<\/em> \u2013 Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) expressed anger over the continued uncertainty and confusion borne by farmers and rural communities following weeks of mixed messages from the new Administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDuring the past several weeks, we have heard directly from countless farmers and food system stakeholders who have been told, without explanation, that their grant or contract payments have been paused or that they cannot be reimbursed despite a signed lawful contract. Until USDA honors its commitments, farms and rural jobs will continue to be threatened, even lost,<\/em>\u201d said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n On January 20, President Trump issued several Executive Orders that have frozen federal spending widely, resulting in delays, cancellations, and halted projects that directly and daily serve farmers, families, and rural and urban communities in every US state. Although a government-wide memo implementing a broad funding freeze across government agencies and programs was later rescinded and two court orders have since ordered federal funding to restart, funding remains frozen across USDA research, technical assistance, marketing, and conservation programs. Neither lawmakers nor USDA officials can answer questions about why the freeze continues despite court orders nor when it will be lifted to allow the continuation of projects and programs in communities and on farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe bipartisan Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 that President Trump signed into law has guided much of USDA\u2019s spending in recent years. Unlawful pauses to these authorized programs or terminations of their grants must be lifted immediately to avoid further impact on jobs and livelihoods. The Administration, including the Office of Management and Budget, must provide clarifying guidance to USDA and the public lifting all pauses and beginning reimbursements,<\/em>\u201d Lavender <\/strong>added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Select Impacts of Continued Funding Pauses or Delays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n