Other Ag News:

(Washington, D.C., April 4, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a Secretarial Memo (PDF, 2.9 MB) to establish an “Emergency Situation Determination” on 112,646,000 acres of National Forestry System (NFS) land (PDF, 19.8 MB). This Memo comes on the heels of President Donald J.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump’s executive order on American energy led to the freezing of projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including stopped payments to recipients of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). More than $911 million in obligated funds through REAP have been frozen. On March 26, 2025, the USDA announced previously obligated REAP funds would be released. 

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

REAP provides grants and loan guarantees to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. This includes things like installing solar panels, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, or improving building insulation. Through these investments, REAP helps farmers lower energy costs, boosts rural economic development, and supports the transition to clean energy in agricultural and rural communities. Like many USDA programs, it operates on a reimbursement model, meaning that farmers and small businesses have been waiting to be reimbursed for costs they have already incurred. 

USDA’s Funding Notification

On March 26, 2025, the USDA began individually notifying REAP awardees with paused disbursements that they have 30 calendar days from the day of notice to “inform USDA Rural Development if they would like to voluntarily propose to change their projects within the existing project budget to better address President Trump’s January 20 Executive Order.” 

The notification links to the following website:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/reap-newera-pace-notification.

On this website, awardees may provide their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, name, phone number, and email address, and indicate whether they have no changes to their current proposal or would like to request changes. If the latter option is selected, awardees are asked to provide a summary of their proposed changes, and a representative from USDA Rural Development will reach out to further discuss. 

The following is based on NSAC’s current understanding that REAP grantees will receive the reimbursements that they are owed under their contracts, whether or not they choose to voluntarily update their projects. However, USDA’s guidance has been unclear in this, making this process more complicated for awardees.  

Awardees may take the following three options:

1. The awardee does not respond via the website. If this option is chosen, USDA says “disbursements and other actions” will resume after the 30 calendar days. While this language is vague, NSAC’s understanding is that there are no other actions for REAP recipients besides disbursements being considered at this time. 

2. The awardee responds via the website to confirm no changes. If this option is chosen, USDA will begin processing the awardee’s project immediately. NSAC’s understanding remains that choosing ‘no changes’ will not lead to any other action besides the processing of payments to be disbursed. At this time, press reporting suggests that payments are already being disbursed as this option is selected.

3. The awardee responds via the website with proposed changes. USDA has said that changes “may include the removal of harmful DEIA project features, using more affordable and effective energy sources, including technologies to increase energy production, storage and improve customer service, or any other change that will help the recipient organization play their part in increasing American identification, leasing, development, production, transportation, refining, and generation capacity of energy and critical minerals, while providing affordable service to their customers.” However, once again, NSAC’s understanding is that this is voluntary and awardees are not required to suggest changes for their projects to receive reimbursements. In addition, suggested changes cannot exceed original award amounts and cannot change how the project was competitively scored at the time of its awarding, significantly limiting possible changes. If this option is chosen, a representative from USDA Rural Development will reach out to the awardee to confirm the changes do not affect the award amount and/or scoring, approve changes and update award documents, and begin processing reimbursements. Yet it is worth noting that recipients have not received any information from the agency specific to their grants that indicate what changes they might need to consider, if any, rendering this option quite vague and confusing. 

For direct questions, REAP awardees can contact their state Energy Coordinators. 

The post USDA Begins Releasing Frozen REAP Funding appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Last Updated: April 2, 2025

For more than two months, billions of dollars of lawfully obligated USDA funding have been frozen or terminated. While the agency has not made public the full scope of what remains frozen or targeted for termination, the harms to communities, farmers, and organizations are already clear. This blog post takes a closer look at what we know—highlighting national and state-level impacts on four programs that support agricultural conservation and resilience, local food systems, and rural clean energy development. This post focuses in particular on the termination of future funding for the (1) Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and (2) Local Foods for Schools and Child Care Settings (LFSCC) programs, the pause (and forthcoming restart) of (3) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)-funded Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) projects, and the current freeze of the (4) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) initiative. The post explores the scope of these four freezes and cancellations, what they mean for each program nationally, and how impacts are playing out across states.

The full impact of the funding freeze and terminations at the USDA will be much larger than the direct impacts to these four programs. The agency administers hundreds of programs, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has identified more than thirty under direct threat. NSAC and our members continue to experience ongoing payment delays and limitations for programs beyond these four specific programs; organizations are facing layoffs and programmatic impacts with accumulating unpaid federal reimbursements. NSAC is glad to see the USDA finally moving on honoring existing farmer contracts with the recent news that the USDA plans to release obligated IRA-REAP funds and hopes that those funds are released on time. Given the uncertainty that remains regarding contract modification requests and the release of obligated funds, the IRA-REAP program is still discussed throughout this post.

Across these four programs alone, more than $4.7 billion in federal investments have been affected. $1.2 billion of that is lost funding due to the cancellation of LFPA and LFSCC beyond 2025. Since local food purchases like those supported by LFPA and LFSCC are considered “multipliers”, meaning that every dollar of federal funding generates additional economic activity as it moves through the economy, that equates to a loss of more than $1.8 billion of economic activity. An additional $3.57 billion has already been legally obligated to farmers and businesses through REAP (more than $908 million in remaining obligations) and PCSC (more than $2.6 billion in remaining obligations). This money is already legally promised through signed agreements but have not been paid due to the ongoing freeze. The table below summarizes the national scope of the cancellations and freezes for these programs.

* remaining obligations calculated using data from USASpending.gov, accessed on 3/20/2025

**economic impact estimated using the Local Food Impact Calculator

The states with the largest overall amounts of frozen or canceled funds through these four programs are Texas ($336 million), California ($330 million), and Virginia ($292 million). On average, states have lost $85 million per state in frozen or cancelled funds, and 28 states and the District of Columbia have all lost more than $50 million in frozen or cancelled funds.

States with the largest amount of remaining IRA-funded REAP obligations to be paid are Illinois ($99 million), Pennsylvania ($42 million), and Michigan ($37 million). On average, states have more than $17 million in remaining IRA-REAP obligations, and 24 states and Puerto Rico all have more than $15 million in remaining IRA-REAP obligations frozen.

States with the largest amount of remaining PCSC frozen obligations are Virginia ($255 million), Texas ($191 million), and California ($188 million). On average, states have nearly $65 million in remaining PCSC obligations frozen, and 19 states and the District of Columbia have more than $20 million in remaining PCSC obligations frozen.

The interactive map below shows the overall funds frozen or cancelled for these programs in each state. Click on a state to see the specific amounts frozen or cancelled for each program, and click on “get the data” to download the data. REAP and PCSC remaining obligations were calculated as the full obligations minus the full outlays reported on USASpending.gov as of March 24, 2025. LFPA and LFS award amounts were publicly reported by USDA before cancellation. 

In October 2024, USDA announced additional funding for existing LFPA and LFS programs in addition to funding for a new program that would support local food purchases in child care settings. On March 10, 2025, however, all of these new contracts with states, tribes, and local agencies for these programs were terminated. 

These investments, while small in terms of the overall federal budget, provide big returns for farmers and rural communities. LFPA and LFS help states and tribal nations buy food from local and regional producers and distribute it to schools and communities in need. LFPA funding is awarded to state and tribal governments, which then partner with local organizations and food hubs to purchase food directly from producers and distribute it through food banks, pantries, and other community channels. LFS provides funding to state agencies to offer additional cash incentives for every meal served that uses local products. Both programs enable the purchase of fresh locally grown or raised foods that they otherwise would not have been able to purchase, expanding options for consumers and markets for farmers.  

Local food purchases like those supported by LFPA and LFS are considered “multipliers”, meaning that every dollar of federal funding generates additional economic activity as it moves through the economy, so the impact of these cancellations is much greater than the federal dollars themselves.

FarmsSHARE, an LFPA project coordinated by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, is a great example of the type of activity supported by LFPA. FarmsSHARE connects approximately 350 farms across the Carolinas with 18 food hubs and other purchasers. FarmsSHARE has delivered 179,457 food boxes to food insecure families and serves more than 1,400 families each week. Without federal LFPA funding, the future of projects like FarmsSHARE that serve both farmers and food insecure families is dim.

LFS programs like the one in Washington state, managed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, work with school districts to bring locally grown foods into schools. In the Selah School District, for example, LFS funding supported the purchase of over half a million pounds of dried cherries directly from Rowley and Hawkins Fruit Farm. The cherries are not just served in school meals, they are also used as a learning tool in the classroom, helping students connect with local agriculture and get excited about nutritious foods on their plates. Federal funding through LFS has made these programs possible for farms and schools across the country.

Following President Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, projects that are part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that were funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) were frozen, and payments to recipients were stopped. More than $911 million in obligated funds through REAP have been frozen, although on March 26, 2025, USDA announced previously obligated REAP funds would be released. However, questions remain about the release of obligated funds.

The March 26 announcement that previously obligated IRA-REAP funds would be released also included a message that USDA was giving funding recipients thirty days to “review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order issued on January 20, 2025.” What this means for recipients and the release of their already obligated funds remains unclear. Farmers say they are receiving unclear guidance from USDA about the revisions, but, at this time, our understanding is that USDA does not intend to terminate any REAP agreements based on the information provided via the form or on the decision not to submit the form. State Energy Coordinators should confirm that guidance. While existing farmers’ contracts should now be honored, the ability to proceed with new REAP IRA obligations remains uncertain.

REAP provides grants and loan guarantees to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. This includes things like installing solar panels, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, or improving building insulation. Through these investments, REAP helps farmers lower energy costs, boosts rural economic development, and supports the transition to clean energy in agricultural and rural communities. Like many USDA programs, it operates on a reimbursement model, meaning that farmers and small businesses have been waiting to be reimbursed for costs they have already incurred. 

REAP projects like Maine farmer Kevin Leavitt’s installation of solar arrays to power his greenhouses or Maryland farmer Laura Beth Resnick’s project to install solar panels on her barn have already been completed, and the farmers are now awaiting reimbursement funds.

Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (PCSC) are public-private partnerships that support the adoption of agricultural practices that promote on-farm conservation and resilience and the development of markets for commodities produced using those practices. PCSC agreements are with partner organizations ranging from large agribusiness corporations to farmer cooperatives; more than 14,000 farms are enrolled in PCSC projects, and more than 3.2 million acres of working agricultural land are enrolled. PCSC funds have remained frozen since President Trump took office, despite court orders directing the Administration to halt the funding freeze. Currently, more than $2.6 billion in already obligated PCSC funds remain frozen. On March 28, 105 PCSC organizations and 260 farmers sent a letter to Secretary Rollins detailing the positive impact the program has had on farming operations nationwide and requesting clarification on the future of the program.

As just one example, PCSC supports partners like Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, which is helping 2,000 farms across the East Coast adopt well-established conservation practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and prescribed grazing. Pasa was awarded a $55 million PCSC grant to collaborate with twenty other organizations to recruit and train farmers in these practices, but the future of their program is now at risk due to the frozen funds. According to data from USASpending.gov, Pasa is still owed more than $52 million in obligated funds. Due to the freeze of these legally obligated funds, Pasa has had to furlough staff. The longer the legally obligated funding remains frozen, the more devastating the long-term effects will be for groups such as Pasa and the farmers they work with. Organizations will be unable to retain their highly specialized staff, and farmers will lose trust in government partnerships, undermining not just PCSC but other federal programs. 

The funding freezes and cancellations in 2025 have created significant challenges for farmers and organizations that have utilized these investments to build viable and resilient farms, strengthen regional supply chains, and put healthy food on the plates of our most vulnerable community members. With nearly $4.8 billion in frozen or canceled investments, across the country, projects that strengthen rural economies and advance conservation are now in limbo—despite many having already been awarded funding or initiated implementation. NSAC is glad to see steps taken to honor existing farmer contracts with USDA’s announcement that IRA-REAP obligated funds will be released. NSAC hopes that this will occur in a fair and timely manner, but USDA must make its guidance clearer that modifications to projects are not required for payments to be processed, nor will failure to propose modifications result in terminations. NSAC urges USDA to quickly release all frozen funds before these impacts to our farms and communities become irreversible.

NSAC remains committed to advocating for transparency, timely communication, and the restoration of funding so that farmers and their partners can continue this critical work.

The post USDA Programs Freeze: What We Know appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Farmers, earth-workers and growers from across the Finger Lakes region are invited to gather together for an upcoming farmer wellness event, hosted by our Growing Together project. 

Join us to make new connections, invest in self-care, and expand your toolkit of wellness practices before launching into the growing season. The Farmer Wellness Sampler will take place at the Foundation of Light in Ithaca, NY, on Tuesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Our facilitation team of farmers and earth-workers will lead sessions featuring Qigong longevity exercises, instrumental sound healing, co-creating with cut flowers, and Kripalu-style yoga. 

This free event is hosted by Growing Together, a project of the Cornell Small Farms Program.  Space is limited, please register to ensure your spot below.  

After participants arrive and enjoy some appetizers and fellowship, the event will have an opening welcome before breaking into different wellness sessions.

These exercises have been used as a traditional method of rehabilitation and sports therapy; they are easy to learn and easy to practice. The 45 minute set combines breathing techniques, gentle stances, and coordinated movements to improve range of motion, flexibility, balance and circulation; every joint of the body is mobilized over the course of the set. The exercises can be practiced seated if standing is not possible. The reputed Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Wang Jiwu, created this series of exercises in the 1930s to serve as a front-line therapy at his busy clinic in Beijing. Distilled from the centuries old method of Xingyi Quan (“form mind boxing”), the Longevity Exercises artfully combine physical movement with intention to stretch and “clean” all the joints of the body while balancing the energetic system.

Facilitator:  Connor Youngerman, Cornell Small Farms Program

Participants are welcome to rest, sit or dance in whatever way you’re moved during this unique sound healing session with drums, flutes, stringed instruments, gongs and singing bowls. Damon and friends bring an improvisational approach to sound healing, tuning in to the energy of the music and the room to guide the musical sounds and vibrations. 

Facilitators: Damon Brangman, Scott Pardee and friends

There will be time to reconnect as a larger group, before again breaking into different wellness sessions.

This Kripalu-style yoga session is all about connecting with the energy of the Earth, rooting down and rising up. We’ll start with some breathwork, then some gentle exercises to warm the body and flow into a series of postures designed to exercise and invigorate the entire body before settling into a restful savasana. You’ll leave feeling centered and prepared to engage with your own Earth work with renewed joy and vigor.

Facilitator:  Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Those of us who sell cut flowers are skilled in quickly and efficiently constructing dazzling bouquets. But as we scramble to fill orders and make sales, we can sometimes overlook the beauty and magnificence of our flower companions. In this session, we’ll start by simply slowing down and becoming present.  We’ll bring our awareness to the beauty and energy of the cut flowers around us, taking time to really notice and appreciate their offerings. Then, we will create bouquets with the flowers that speak most to us, focusing on creativity rather than technique. Bring a bouquet home, and offer a second one as a gift to another participant in the closing circle.

Facilitator: Violet Stone, Cornell Small Farms Program

We will then come together for a closing circle before leaving this shared space and bringing our learnings with us back into our day to day lives.

Damon Brangman. Born and raised in the island of Bermuda, Damon Brangman a farmer/educator and musician founded Roots Rising Farm to offer hands on garden education through school and community gardens.  Damon started farming at a young age, and his inspiration to grow food was his grandmother’s love of fresh vegetables. Through the curiosity of other youth in the community, he felt inclined to share the knowledge he was gaining from gardening, and also give them the opportunity to connect to the land. Damon traveled to New York City to study music production in 1997, and while there he became sick, and decided to attend a body/mind retreat in Ithaca, NY during the summer. The experience of a raw food diet, meditation, and yoga, encouraged him to make changes in his lifestyle, and eventually move to Ithaca a few years later.  Having a strong background in music, and determined to continue healing from Crohn’s disease, he produces music with the intention of healing himself while also assisting others on their own personal healing journey.  The earth is healing itself, and we play an important role in allowing the process to heal us, if we can only stop for a moment and listen.

Himanee Gupta-Carlson is a farmer, writer, and professor who sows seeds to provide food, uses words to form ideas, and creates thoughts to help guide herself and others through learnings to sustain future generations. She also has written, spoken, taught, and pondered extensively on the relationships between land, food, and spirituality and has drawn on her own experiences as a farmer and daughter of immigrant Indian parents in reflecting on her place in North American settler-colonialist spaces. A desire to contribute to the healing of historic intergenerational violence and ongoing trauma led her in 2022 to the Cornell Small Farm’s Reconnecting With Purpose Retreat, from which she was motivated to rekindle prior work with Reiki and to fulfill a long-held desire to transform her practice of yoga into teaching it herself. Since becoming certified through the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, she has led yoga workshops at numerous academic conferences and in community classes in the Saratoga area, where she lives, farms, and teaches at SUNY Empire State University. Her hope is to meet students where they are at, and to guide them to find peace, grounding, rejuvenation, contentment, and hope.

Violet Stone leads a wide range of retreats and workshops for the agricultural community drawing on themes of connection, wellness, purpose, integrity and courage. She sees this work as contributing to a more inclusive ‘culture’ of agriculture where all voices are warmly welcomed, honored and celebrated, including the  voice of our intuition or inner teacher. In this highly technological age of automation and artificial intelligence, we have much to gain from the act of offering one another genuine listening, open-hearted attention, and wonder. Violet has led programs for the Cornell Small Farms Program since 2007 and has also served as the New York Northeast SARE Professional Development Coordinator since 2009. All of her programs are aligned with the principles of the Center for Courage and Renewal.

Connor Youngerman is a certified instructor of xingyi quan, bagua zhang, and qigong through the North American Tang Shou Tao Association and has been training and teaching traditional martial and medical arts for 17 years. Connor is the agroforestry and mushroom production specialist for the Cornell Small Farms Program, and grew up on a small family farm in Prince Edward Island,  Canada.

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