Katie Woodrow manages agricultural projects at the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. Over the past two years, she’s encouraged about 40 farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods like cover crops and no-till planting. But now, she’s facing a setback.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suddenly ended the funding for her program, along with many others, under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of this $3.1 billion program, stating that it was plagued by high administration costs instead of helping farmers directly.
This shift has left many projects in limbo. The USDA is rebranding the initiative as the Advancing Markets for Producers program, allowing organizations to reapply for funding, but only if a significant portion goes directly to farmers.
Woodrow expressed disappointment. Many farmers had plans based on their contracts with her organization. “With the federal funding gone, we can’t pay our farmers,” she said, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Her group had received nearly $5 million to support small producers and was involved in a larger $50 million project with the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.
The USDA reported that 29 projects, contributing to a total of $1 billion in Wisconsin, are now affected. The funding freeze originated during the Trump administration, which halted various federal programs shortly after taking office. Woodrow noted that her organization is still awaiting reimbursements for work completed in late 2024.
Another organization, Marbleseed, which supports organic farmers, is experiencing similar challenges. Executive Director Lori Stern mentioned they, too, are waiting on reimbursement for their $4.5 million grant. Their team had to stop bringing new farms into their program after the freeze on funding.
Stern was not surprised by the program’s demise, considering historical opposition to climate-focused initiatives. However, she pointed out that the program was critical, as it aimed to help farmers adapt to an unstable climate while showing the financial benefits of sustainable practices.
Stern and Woodrow both plan to adjust their approaches to reapply for funding. However, the new requirement that a significant portion of funds must go to farms directly poses challenges for providing necessary support, like technical assistance.
Both leaders worry about rebuilding trust with farmers. With contracts canceled unexpectedly, it will take extra effort to restore those relationships. Therefore, the future of these initiatives hinges on how well organizations can navigate these changes and continue supporting sustainable agriculture in a shifting landscape.
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