The Trump administration is reviewing hundreds of federally funded farm conservation projects tied to climate initiatives, leaving many farmers uncertain about funding they were promised.
Nicolás Rivero and Sarah Blaskey report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is evaluating over $400 million in conservation projects for potential termination, particularly those labeled as supporting "climate-smart agriculture."
- Many of these initiatives help farmers implement practices like rotating cattle grazing and reducing fertilizer use, which also benefit the environment.
- The funding freeze and potential cuts have left some farmers and nonprofits working without pay, while USDA staffers describe internal pressure to strip climate-related language from projects.
Key quote:
"Now you put these big names to it and it becomes the enemy. I don’t understand why farmers are being made into the enemy of America."
— Carolyn Jones, head of the Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance
Why this matters:
For decades, the USDA has helped farmers adopt conservation techniques that protect soil, reduce pollution, and improve productivity. Many of these same practices now fall under the category of “climate-smart” farming, drawing political scrutiny from the current administration. Cutting funding for these projects could disrupt efforts to sustain farmland, limit environmental benefits, and leave farmers financially stranded after making changes based on promised support. The debate highlights how shifting political priorities can reshape agriculture policy — and the livelihoods tied to it.
Read more: Lawsuit claims USDA climate data purge leaves farmers without vital resources
