Farmers on the hook for millions after Trump freezes USDA funds

[essentialsaltes]

Farmers report missing millions of dollars of funding they were promised by the U.S. Agriculture Department, despite promises from the Trump administration that a federal funding freeze would not apply to projects directly benefiting individuals.

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump ordered the Agriculture Department to freeze funds for several programs designated by President Joe Biden’s signature clean-energy and health-care law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The freeze paused some funding for the department’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which helps farmers address natural resource concerns, and the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides financial assistance for farmers to improve their infrastructure.

Farmers who signed contracts with the Agriculture Department under those programs paid up front to build fencing, plant new crops and install renewable energy systems with guarantees that the federal government would issue grants and loan guarantees to cover at least part of their costs. Now, with that money frozen, they’re on the hook.

[Despite judges blocking some Trump funding freezes] over the weekend, farmers reported that their funding remained frozen — another blow to farmers who are also facing threats of tariffs and freezes to foreign aid spending that involved food purchased from American producers.

With the money promised in his contract on hold, [for fencing, a well and water system, cattle farmer Skylar] Holden said he’s in a bind. Up-front payments for the construction and materials he arranged for are due soon, on top of his regular operating expenses. If the freeze continues, he said he will have to take out additional loans or sell his farm equipment and cattle.

The [Agriculture] department suggested that Holden’s only recourse was to contact his congressional representatives, he said.

 

[Fantine]

The demographic groups who voted heavily for Trump will hopefully learn from their mistakes. While I hope they prosper, this pain may be a necessary wake up call.

 

[Nithavela]

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Farmers report missing millions of dollars of funding they were promised by the U.S. Agriculture Department, despite promises from the Trump administration that a federal funding freeze would not apply to projects directly benefiting individuals.

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump ordered the Agriculture Department to freeze funds for several programs designated by President Joe Biden’s signature clean-energy and health-care law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The freeze paused some funding for the department’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which helps farmers address natural resource concerns, and the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides financial assistance for farmers to improve their infrastructure.

Farmers who signed contracts with the Agriculture Department under those programs paid up front to build fencing, plant new crops and install renewable energy systems with guarantees that the federal government would issue grants and loan guarantees to cover at least part of their costs. Now, with that money frozen, they’re on the hook.

[Despite judges blocking some Trump funding freezes] over the weekend, farmers reported that their funding remained frozen — another blow to farmers who are also facing threats of tariffs and freezes to foreign aid spending that involved food purchased from American producers.

With the money promised in his contract on hold, [for fencing, a well and water system, cattle farmer Skylar] Holden said he’s in a bind. Up-front payments for the construction and materials he arranged for are due soon, on top of his regular operating expenses. If the freeze continues, he said he will have to take out additional loans or sell his farm equipment and cattle.

The [Agriculture] department suggested that Holden’s only recourse was to contact his congressional representatives, he said.

The freeze is temporary. The farmers will get paid if it isn't found to be fraudulent.

 

[That Guy 11200]

You reap what you sow.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

The freeze is temporary. The farmers will get paid if it isn't found to be fraudulent.

That doesn't help if they need to make the payments to their suppliers/contractors now.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

That doesn't help if they need to make the payments to their suppliers/contractors now.

They can always do something else. President Trump is the president now, no more free handouts.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Farmers and rural businesses left without funds for their clean energy projects after federal freeze​

USDA leaders “have been directed to assess whether grants, loans, contracts, and other disbursements align with the new administration’s policies,” according to a statement from a department spokesperson who noted that Brooke Rollins, USDA secretary nominee, “will have the opportunity to review the programs and work with the White House to make determinations as quickly as possible,” once she’s confirmed.

[AP notes the Rural Energy for America Program was founded in 2002 and has enjoyed broad bipartisan support; but probably few of the farms are choosing to drill oil wells, baby, so what are the odds the solar projects will align with the new administration’s policies?]

 

[Pommer]

Farmers and rural businesses left without funds for their clean energy projects after federal freeze​

USDA leaders “have been directed to assess whether grants, loans, contracts, and other disbursements align with the new administration’s policies,” according to a statement from a department spokesperson who noted that Brooke Rollins, USDA secretary nominee, “will have the opportunity to review the programs and work with the White House to make determinations as quickly as possible,” once she’s confirmed.

[AP notes the Rural Energy for America Program was founded in 2002 and has enjoyed broad bipartisan support; but probably few of the farms are choosing to drill oil wells, baby, so what are the odds the solar projects will align with the new administration’s policies?]

Nothing quite like an expected guaranteed payment getting canceled to whap-one’s-head with a political two-by-four!

 

[camille70]

Many of them will lose their farms and then rich GOP donors and big agricultural companies will be able to buy them up for nickles on the dollar. (Since the penny is going away.)

 

[ozso]

The freeze is temporary. The farmers will get paid if it isn't found to be fraudulent.

It's ironic seeing certain folks hoping so desperately that things will go horribly wrong for farmers and the working class.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

It's ironic seeing certain folks hoping so desperately that things will go horribly wrong for farmers and the working class.

It is almost as if they are praying for the destruction of the country just so they can blame Trump and say "I told you so." Furthermore, it seems like they hate when the country is doing well and the sky isn't falling because it forces them to confront the reality that Trump is actually capable of doing good.

 

[ozso]

It is almost as if they are praying for the destruction of the country just so they can blame Trump and say "I told you so." Furthermore, it seems like they hate when the country is doing well and the sky isn't falling because it forces them to confront the reality that Trump is actually capable of doing good.

I think it also verges into the attitude that they did great evil in supporting Trump, so they deserve to reap what they sow through weeping and gnashing of teeth. A mishmash of virtue signaling over their impending misfortune while also gloating over the prospect of them getting what they deserve.

 

[KCfromNC]

It is almost as if they are praying for the destruction of the country just so they can blame Trump and say "I told you so."

I guess posts making stuff up about the people posting information about the failures of Trump policies is easier than admitting that his policies are failures.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I guess posts making stuff up about the people posting information about the failures of Trump policies is easier than admitting that his policies are failures.

Well, I don't think Trump's policies are failures. I actually think they are going extremely well. So I have nothing to admit except for the fact that Trump lied about us getting tired of winning.

 

[KCfromNC]

Well, I don't think Trump's policies are failures. I actually think they are going extremely well.

Enjoying the bump in inflation, are we?

 

[SimplyMe]

It is almost as if they are praying for the destruction of the country just so they can blame Trump and say "I told you so." Furthermore, it seems like they hate when the country is doing well and the sky isn't falling because it forces them to confront the reality that Trump is actually capable of doing good.

I think it also verges into the attitude that they did great evil in supporting Trump, so they deserve to reap what they sow through weeping and gnashing of teeth. A mishmash of virtue signaling over their impending misfortune while also gloating over the prospect of them getting what they deserve.

This seems like a straw man, as I haven't seen anyone, other than Aryeh Jay (who while typically satirical, does espouse right wing positions) praying for the destruction of the country. Instead, the posters here who don't like what Trump is doing seem to not like what this is doing to the farmers, not "gloating over the prospect of getting what they deserve," but maybe I missed something?

As has been pointed out, farmers took actions -- actions which will cost them money -- with the "guarantee" that the federal government would pay them back for their expenditures. It is wrong for the federal government, after the fact, to refuse to pay. As has been pointed out, this could lead to a large number of farms being foreclosed on, and more farms absorbed by large corporations, but perhaps the Trump administration sees that as a benefit and not an issue (based on what appears to be support for big business).

 

[Aryeh Jay]

This seems like a straw man, as I haven't seen anyone, other than Aryeh Jay (who while typically satirical, does espouse right wing positions) praying for the destruction of the country. Instead, the posters here who don't like what Trump is doing seem to not like what this is doing to the farmers, not "gloating over the prospect of getting what they deserve," but maybe I missed something?

As has been pointed out, farmers took actions -- actions which will cost them money -- with the "guarantee" that the federal government would pay them back for their expenditures. It is wrong for the federal government, after the fact, to refuse to pay. As has been pointed out, this could lead to a large number of farms being foreclosed on, and more farms absorbed by large corporations, but perhaps the Trump administration sees that as a benefit and not an issue (based on what appears to be support for big business).

Aryeh jay dosen't actively pray for the destruction of the country, he just enjoys watching leopards eatting.

 

[ozso]

This seems like a straw man, as I haven't seen anyone, other than Aryeh Jay (who while typically satirical, does espouse right wing positions) praying for the destruction of the country. Instead, the posters here who don't like what Trump is doing seem to not like what this is doing to the farmers, not "gloating over the prospect of getting what they deserve," but maybe I missed something?

The basis of my observation is not limited to the handful of people on this small obscure forum.

As has been pointed out, farmers took actions -- actions which will cost them money -- with the "guarantee" that the federal government would pay them back for their expenditures. It is wrong for the federal government, after the fact, to refuse to pay. As has been pointed out, this could lead to a large number of farms being foreclosed on, and more farms absorbed by large corporations, but perhaps the Trump administration sees that as a benefit and not an issue (based on what appears to be support for big business).

This matter is hardly at the after the fact stage. It seems vitally important to some people that everything established by the current administration has disastrous results. It's basically what they're placing their hope in.

 

[Say it aint so]

This matter is hardly at the after the fact stage. It seems vitally important to some people that everything established by the current administration has disastrous results. It's basically what they're placing their hope in.

"Donald Trump says Americans could feel 'pain'...." Yes, just "do" without thinking ramifications will lead to disastrous results. However disastrous results whether anticipated or unanticipated are still disastrous.