Farmers share concerns over federal funding cuts

URBANA, Ill. (WAND)- Farmers and non-profit organizers met with Governor J.B. Pritzker, Representative Nikki Budzinski, and Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The group said they are facing desperate times with federal funding freezes.

"Approximately one third of our income comes from grant funding, and half of that is through USDA programs that are currently at risk," said Traci Barkley, Director of Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana. "Right now we have $90,000 in 2025 that's on the chopping that, much of that is already spent. We don't know if we will be reimbursed."

Many other organizations echoed that issue, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture itself. Costello said they've been locked out of federal website for reimbursements.

With USDA cuts expected to hit local organizations, non-profits that grow food for SNAP recipients and family farms that receive funding to sell produce to food banks, have to cut their programs. This means a decrease in access to fresh, local, produce.

"These foods feed the people that are the most food insecure, the most vulnerable in out state, it's an incredible program," said Costello II. "$14.7 millions is what we are told is being cut, it's devastating."

Costello II said right now, 176 producers are providing food to 833 food insecurity programs. The program that funds this, is being cut.

Governor Pritzker said funding cuts are impacting the research and climate aspects of local programs as well. HE cited the closure of the USAID Soybean Innovation Lab at the U of I. He said once these programs stop, it will be hard to bring them back.

"If we don't halt the damage as fast as possible, if they don't get a farm bill that actually still has SNAP and still has these conservation programs in there, these could go away," said Pritzker. "I don't want to say permanently because we're all going to get back at it and try to rebuild, but it takes years."

Representative Budzinski said she is working with others to emphasize just how important these programs are, and ensure they are funded through the farm bill. She is hopeful some money will be restored because of recent court orders.

"It is about fighting this," said Budzinski. "One of the things I've been trying to really lend my voice to is what are really the illegal funding freezes that these are. These are illegal. They are moving their way through court, and you're seeing that we are winning those court cases."

Local organizations urge those who use their programs to check on the availability of their products and events before participating, as they will have to cut many of them.