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Farmers Union concerned about Trump administration staff cuts

The National Farmers Union wants to know how the federal government funding freeze and job cuts have affected individuals.

Mike Stranz is Farmers Union’s Vice President of Advocacy.  He tells Brownfield the funding freeze left many farmers wondering what comes next. “A lot of conservation and climate initiatives, a lot of local foods initiatives and programs, dollars for those were halted and cut short even as farmers and ranchers were making improvements or holding up their end of the deal.”

Stranz says National Farmers Union released an online survey last week asking how the funding and job cuts have impacted people, and he says there have been a lot of responses. “Some of the dollars that were dedicated for making improvements to drainage systems in different parts of the country, that was held up because of its connection to the Inflation Reduction Act or some existing climate and conservation programs, so there’s been dozens of stories like that and other concerns, too.”

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins released some of the frozen funding late last week, but Stranz says more needs to be released. “There is a lot more to be reviewed. That’s progress and that’s good to hear, but this lapse in dollars being sent out can really affect individuals who are holding up their end of the bargain that they made with USDA, so they need to see those dollars soon.”

Stranz says family farmers and ranchers rely upon timely and effective service from USDA county offices across the country for a whole host of issues, so they want to keep track of what’s happening through their survey so they can help.

Wisconsin Farmers Union hosted a town hall meeting February 21^st.  More than 40 members shared their concerns and experiences with state and national elected officials.