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Dear John,

Just when farmers and ranchers were planning their upcoming growing season, they were thrown into limbo by an unprecedented freeze of federal funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently withholding payments owed under signed, lawful contracts, causing turmoil for tens of thousands of farmers and farmer-serving organizations, having effects all across our food system.

Much of the paused funding relates to conservation work, like soil erosion prevention and cover cropping efforts. Pausing programs, many already in motion, hurts farmers and ranchers and erodes trust in the federal government. We spoke to farmers and organizations working with them to learn how the freeze is being felt on the ground. Hear from two farmers below and head to our blog to read more. [[link removed]]

Brian Geier of Bundle Sticks Farm in Harrison County, IN, says freezing conservation funds mid-stride hurts not only farmers, but also the wider farming community: “The money is basically passing through farmers’ hands and going to people who we (farmers) have lined up to pay for conservation work. It’s going to people who produce cover crop seed, it’s going to the native seed industry, it’s going to the native plant industry, it’s going to local contractors who are excavators digging water lines and people building fences. Money for conservation programs definitely has a multiplier effect.”John Bartman of Bartman Family Farm in Marengo, IL, got a notice in January that his funding was on hold and not to expect the program to continue. “We’re counting on that money. We sequestered the carbon, we did the job. It’s just not right, it’s a contract! It’s an invoice and a bill and they should honor that program.” LEARN HOW THE FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE IS HURTING FARMERS [[link removed]]

You can make a difference! Send a message to your representatives today demanding they step up and protect farmers and communities from further harm. Tell them that withholding funds from signed contracts is unlawful. The USDA must honor its commitments before impacts worsen in communities nationwide.

Visit our Action Center to personalize your message. [[link removed]]

Congress can fix this; but they need to hear from you!

TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO LIFT THE FUNDING FREEZE [[link removed]]

We've been hearing from farmers across the country. These stories are invaluable in helping us call attention to the harm that farmers, ranchers and rural communities are facing and make the case for the urgent need to find solutions.

If you've been impacted by the federal funding freeze, we want to hear from you! Please fill out our survey. [[link removed]] We'll use this information to advocate for farmers and won't use your name or share any other personally identifiable information without your explicit permission.

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First photo: John Bartman

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