OEFFA Launches Funding Freeze Action Center
Across the country, tens of thousands of farmers and the organizations serving them have been impacted by an unprecedented freeze on federal funds obligated under signed, lawful contracts. Beginning as soon as he took office on January 20, President Trump signed several executive orders targeting the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, and climate-related actions. As a result, many federal programs and funding contracts have been paused, modified, or altogether terminated.
The situation has evolved in a dizzying manner, with several White House memos issued and rescinded, difficulties reaching understaffed USDA and NRCS offices, and multiple lawsuits and court cases underway. It remains to be seen whether or not the administration will abide by the temporary restraining orders, administrative stays, and federal judge rulings.
Secretary Brooke Rollins released the first tranche of IRA funding under review—$20 million—on February 20 to an unidentified group of farmers with contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This represents just 0.35% of the $5.7 billion in IRA-funded conservation grants budgeted for the 2025 calendar year.
🔗 Check out the OEFFA Funding Freeze Action Center
On March 7, the USDA sent 60-day termination notices to nationwide administrators of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement. Known locally as Ohio CAN (Community + Agriculture + Nutrition), the program connected local producers with food relief agencies, providing farmers with new market opportunities and communities in need with fresh, local foods.
Those participating in the program have benefited from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue, along with many positive downstream impacts: increased stocking/growing rates that allow for additional sales, income that enables the hiring of staff, and the knowledge that their products are supporting those around the state. To say that this will have a devastating impact on the OEFFA community is a grave understatement.
An Opportunity to Make Your Voice Heard
As a result of funding freezes and program terminations, many in the OEFFA community and beyond remain in limbo. Producers who participated in recently terminated LFPA programs, like Ohio CAN, are now confronted with revenue shortages. Farmers who’ve already installed irrigation equipment or planted cover crops with support from the USDA have been understandably concerned about the reimbursements they were promised.
Secretary Rollins has suggested that they are releasing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) dollars for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), but how the rest of the IRA funding will be spent remains unknown. The uncertainty around federal funding has shaken farmers’ trust in the USDA and made it harder to plan for the 2025 season. Organizations that train and support farmers are instead having to lay off staff. Families are anxious about grocery store prices and the long-term availability of food.
These immediate impacts could compound and lead to further suffering without swift intervention from Congress, the USDA, and our new Secretary of Agriculture.
We’ve surveyed the OEFFA community, held office hours for those impacted, and collected resources for farmers and organizations. These efforts have culminated in our new Funding Freeze Action Center, featuring an action opportunity for those who want to help us stand up for farmers and the businesses and organizations that serve them. In just a few minutes, you can personalize a pre-drafted message to send to Secretary Rollins and your members of Congress. We provide tips and share examples to help you send the most impactful message!
Check it out now at action.oeffa.org/freeze. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to speak to a policy organizer about engaging with the media, writing an op-ed, or taking other types of action.