Farmers accuse Trump administration of fabricating evidence to justify canceling $300 million in USDA grants
By
Ayurella Horn-Muller, Grist
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The Trump administration canceled 49 out of 50 grants from a $300 million USDA program targeting farmers and food banks, with farmers and advocates accusing the administration of fabricating evidence to justify the terminations. The grants were part of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which aimed to support local food systems and underserved communities. Recipients received termination notices citing vague or allegedly false reasons, sparking outrage and legal challenges from affected organizations.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledLeah Atwood was rattled. It was the tail end of March, and for days she and her colleagues at Agroecology Commons had been fielding dozens of emails alerting them to grant terminations targeting a $300 million U.S. Department of Agriculture program.
One after another, within a single week, 49 of the 50 grantees received notices from the USDA informing them that their grants were canceled.
This story was originally published by Grist.
You might also wanna read
USDA Suspends Federal Financial Awards to Minnesota and Minneapolis Over Fraud Allegations
The USDA has suspended federal financial awards to Minnesota and Minneapolis effective immediately due to allegations of massive fraud. Agri
turnto10.com·4mo ago
USDA Ends Funding for Wind and Solar Energy Projects on Farmland
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will stop funding wind and solar energy projects on American farmland, continuing the Trump
insideclimatenews.org·9mo ago
Trump Administration Suspends $1.8 Billion 'Anti-Weaponization' Fund After Federal Court Ruling
The Trump administration has agreed to temporarily suspend its $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' after a federal judge issued a rulin
Rolling Stone·1d ago
USDA Implements Building Closures and Staff Relocations as Part of Government Downsizing Initiative
The USDA is implementing significant downsizing measures by closing and relocating from aging buildings, including the Ag South building nea
foodpolitics.com·2mo ago
US Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Cut $2 Billion in NIH Research Grants
The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing it to proceed with cutting nearly $2 billion in active researc
nature.com·9mo ago
USDA Temporarily Deactivates National Corn Supply During Government Shutdown
The USDA has announced the deactivation of the nation's corn supply during the government shutdown, citing frozen federal funds that prevent
The Onion·7mo ago