Today, Farm Action Fund led 351 farm and food organizations in a letter urging Congressional Agriculture Committee Leadership to swiftly pass the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, a new bill that would honor frozen contracts between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and farmers across the country. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cory Booker and in the House by Representative Gabe Vasquez.
For the past two months, farmers, small businesses, and organizations providing critical support and service to our nation’s farm and food system have been left waiting for the USDA to honor contracts and pay for completed work or have had their contracts canceled outright. While USDA has recently announced the release of a small portion of funding, billions of dollars still remain frozen, and just this week the Congressionally-mandated Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program was canceled.
“Farmers across the country have been in limbo ever since the USDA froze previously signed agreements and contracts, with many facing catastrophic consequences if these freezes continue,” said Senator Booker. “USDA’s refusal to pay what is owed to farmers and the organizations that support them is theft, plain and simple. It’s a critical time of year for farmers and ranchers. They should be doing what they love—feeding our communities, not worrying about unpaid contracts. This legislation will fix that by forcing USDA and the Trump Administration to hold up their end of the deal.”
These contracts cover a broad range of programs, like cover crops for soil health, assistance for young and beginning farmers, and investments in energy efficiency to lower energy bills for farmers facing rising input costs.
“The Honor Farmer Contracts Act is based on the fundamental principle that, as Americans, when we make a deal, we honor it and pay our bills—especially when that deal is with the hardworking people who feed us. We urge you to support the swift passage of this important legislation,” the letter states.
Media Contact: Emma Nicolas, 202-450-0094, enicolas@farmactionfund.us
