News
Nonprofits suing USDA for illegal grant terminations
Another suit has been filed against the USDA for terminating grants without following proper procedures.
FarmSTAND Staff Attorney Holly Bainbridge tells Brownfield her plaintiffs argue the agency terminating previously awarded projects violates due process, the Administrative Procedure Act, and a separation of powers.
“I think if we’re successful in the lawsuit, it will give a lot more assurance to any grant recipients that they can rely on this funding, that the government is obligated to follow through,” she says.
The U.S. District Court case alledges the loss of funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program, the National Resources Conservation Service’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program threaten the plaintiffs’ and others’ livelihoods, jobs, and communities
Bainbridge says USDA can’t change policy priorities during the implementation of an awarded project, regardless of its funding source.
“Most of these cases have also limited relief to just the plaintiffs participating in the cases,” she says. “We want to try and take a broader approach to keep USDA from doing this to anyone.”
She says a move for a preliminary injunction will hopefully restore more than $33 million in awarded grant funding while the case is pending.
Parties in the case include the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative, and Agroecology Commons and are represented by FarmSTAND, Earthjustice, and Farmers Justice Center.
Beggars can’t be choosers.