WASHINGTON, D.C. — Farm organizations are challenging the Trump administration’s cancellation of nearly $300 million in federal grants intended to help beginning and underserved farmers obtain land, financing and market access.
The Department of Agriculture terminated 49 of 50 awards under its Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access program in March. Recipients received two business days’ notice, with USDA officials saying the program conflicted with agency priorities and included wasteful spending on items such as massages, gazebos, recreational vehicles and unusually large office-supply budgets.
Organizations interviewed by Grist said those expenses did not appear in their budgets and that USDA has not identified which recipients allegedly proposed them. Several groups said their grants directed substantial funding toward land purchases, technical assistance and direct aid for farmers.
The cancellations affected projects operated by farming nonprofits, tribal organizations and local governments across approximately 40 states and territories. At least 45 recipients appealed, but most were told the terminations were broadly applicable agency decisions rather than individual findings subject to administrative review.
Twenty-four recipients later joined an existing federal lawsuit against USDA. A federal judge has temporarily restored access to approximately $127 million while litigation continues.
Agroecology Commons retained its $2.5 million award because an earlier injunction protected it, but the organization says uncertainty has limited hiring and long-term planning.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
