Farm Bureau cautiously watching government changes
Staff writer
How local farmers will be affected by government funding freezes and workforce reductions ordered by the Trump administration remains to be seen, but Kansas Farm Bureau is casting a wary eye on recent developments.
“We’re trying to track touch points where it’s going to affect Kansas agriculture,” Farm Bureau spokesman Greg Doering said. “The best thing I can give you right now is that we don’t know how this is going to play out.”
Last week, about $500,000 that had been frozen was paid out as part of $11 million released by the government, Doering said.
Previous administrations also froze funding streams at the beginning of their terms, Doering said, so the concept is not new.
Farm Bureau has serious concerns about the government withholding money for contracts already signed with farmers and other rural partners, he said.
Programs typically work on a cost-share basis. A farmer does the work, and government pays its agreed share of the cost.
“Farmers have invested in projects and practices on their farms based on USDA contracts that commit funding support,” he said. “The government must live up to these legally binding promises.”
Farm Bureau is encouraging people to talk to USDA officials and legislators.
“We have conveyed our concerns to USDA leaders and continue to do so,” Doering said. “We hope to work with them to ensure the rug isn’t pulled out from under farmers who signed contracts with USDA and made investments based on those agreements. If a contract is signed, it should be honored by both sides.”
Reports about USDA staff reductions are still coming, and that causes concern, Doering said.
“Although we support the goal of efficient government, we urge the administration to be strategic, knowing USDA staff members play a critical role in both the safety and reliability of our food supply,” he said. “We have people in local offices who deliver the services.”
Farmers go to an office, get help selecting a program that will work best for them, and receive instructions how to work with it. Farmers make decisions as part of planning.
“We certainly have concerns if we have nobody with boots on the ground,” Doering said.
USDA services include food inspectors, animal disease experts, loan officers, and disaster recovery experts.
“Agricultural research is also important, and the expertise of land-grant universities plays a pivotal role in advancing soil health and conservation goals,” Doering said.