The Trump administration’s decision to freeze climate-related agricultural grants has left small farmers struggling. A group of 16 nonprofits and city governments, led by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), seeking to restore the much-needed funding.
Small Farmers Hit Hard by Grant Freezes
For nearly 35 years, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, a Pennsylvania-based organization, has been helping small farmers improve soil health, manage crops efficiently, and adopt eco-friendly farming practices. Many of these farmers rely on USDA grants to make their farms more resilient against climate change.
Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, including extreme droughts and heavy rainfall, affecting crop growth and farm stability. To combat these issues, farmers applied for grants under the Climate Smart Commodities program, introduced during the Biden administration. These grants aimed to fund sustainable farming initiatives such as:
- Expanding grazing areas to reduce overgrazing.
- Planting trees to provide shade for livestock.
- Switching to crops that require less soil disturbance.
- Installing irrigation and water-saving systems.
However, with the Trump administration freezing these funds, small farmers have been left in financial uncertainty, unable to complete planned projects.
Farmers’ Plans Destroyed by Sudden Policy Change
Many farmers had already invested in equipment, contracts, and labor based on the promised grants.
Ebony Lunsford-Evans, a farmer at 1 Sound Farm in Pittsburgh, had planned to install a new water line for urban gardens, a project that would have improved irrigation and boosted food production.
“It was music to my ears when we got approved,” Lunsford-Evans said. “Now, I’m in shock. I cried—I was mad.”
Similarly, Kacie Bachman, who runs a veterinary boarding business, wanted to install a new watering system to reduce soil damage caused by horses. George Brittenburg and Ola Creston of Taproot Farm hoped to extend fencing for their grazing animals.
Other farmers, like Rob Dunning of Raspberry Ridge Creamery, had plans to sell dairy products to food banks. “This funding would have made our healthy food accessible to the community,” Dunning explained. “Now, everything is on hold.”
Lawsuit Filed Against USDA to Restore Funding
Pasa and 15 other organizations have taken legal action against the Trump administration and the USDA. On March 13, 2025, environmental law group Earthjustice also sued the USDA, accusing them of violating agreements related to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Earthjustice attorneys claim that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins offered to release REAP funds only if farmers rewrote their applications to align with Trump’s energy policies. Senior attorney Hana Vizcarra called this move a “disingenuous stunt” meant to ultimately deny the grants.
“Farmers have already taken out loans and spent thousands on solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades,” Vizcarra said. “Now, the government is changing the rules midway through.”
Farmers Struggle to Move Forward Without Support
The funding freeze has impacted not only farmers but also local businesses that depend on these agricultural projects.
- Contractors who were set to build fences, irrigation systems, and barns now face canceled contracts.
- Food banks that were supposed to receive dairy products from local farms have lost a key source of nutritious food.
- Many farmers are struggling to pay their employees, forcing them to reduce staff.
Pasa’s Executive Director Hannah Smith-Brubaker shared the emotional toll of this crisis. “I feel sick to be furloughing 60 employees. Some just bought houses, some are expecting babies, and they all assumed they had secure jobs.”
The uncertainty has also raised concerns about whether farmers will ever trust government programs again.
“You assume the federal government keeps its promises,” Bachman said. “Now, I’m not so sure.”
The Fight for Climate-Smart Agriculture Continues
Despite the setbacks, farmers are looking for alternative funding options and cutting costs to move forward. However, without government support, many of their projects may never happen.
“We like to think we’re helping the world as a small farm,” Dunning said. “I guess we’ll just be a little smaller and help a little less.”
As the lawsuit moves forward, small farmers across the country are waiting for answers—and hoping that the government will restore the funding they were promised.
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