‘A slap in the face’: small farmers say Trump is turning his back on them
Summary
Small farmers in Iowa say President Donald Trump's administration is cutting important government support programs that helped them get established. A program run by a non-profit that aided new farmers lost its funding when the USDA canceled grants, causing difficulties for small producers.Key Facts
- Lawrencia Rogers, a small farmer in Iowa, grew her farm through a fellowship funded by the USDA and run by Iowa Valley RC&D.
- This fellowship provided land, equipment, advisors, a living wage, health insurance, and paid time off to new farmers.
- Shortly after the fellowship began, the USDA canceled a $2.5 million grant to the non-profit supporting the program, calling it wasteful and against the administration’s policy on diversity.
- A federal judge ordered the USDA to restore $127 million in grants to Iowa Valley RC&D and other groups, but the program had already been paused.
- Small-scale farmers say USDA policy changes under President Trump prioritize big corporate farms over small producers.
- Farmers report financial losses, including lost buyers and reduced cash flow, due to canceled USDA programs that supported local agriculture.
- The issue of support for small farms may influence upcoming elections in Iowa, where key political races are competitive.
- Some farmers feel the current administration has not taken steps that benefit small producers and small businesses.
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