Cornhole Champions | Iowa's farmers and food producers are facing a crisis that's been brewing behind the scenes at the US Department of Agriculture. Since President Donald Trump took office and his number two billionaire Elon Musk has been taking a club to federal programs, the consequences have been mounting.
And now Iowa food growers are left with the bill.
The USDA has frozen nearly $7 million in promised funding, leaving hundreds of local farms and food businesses in limbo during the critical spring planting season.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, hosts Zachary Oren Smith speaks with Giselle Bruskewitz of Iowa Valley RC&D a group that administers the entire program that was to help build more resilient foodways, but now is leaving a lot of Iowans in the cold.
MSN News | The cancellation of the $11 million in United States Department of Agriculture funding that helped connect Iowa farmers and their products to people in need is causing problems for local food banks.
Iowa Public Radio | Hundreds of Iowa farmers, schools and food banks planned on federal dollars this year to support local food purchases. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut both programs in March. Iowans across the supply chain are looking for ways to fill in the gaps.
Iowa Public Radio | Featured on this episode of Here First, Over 300 farmers that have planned for USDA money aren't getting it now.
Des Moines Register | The Trump administration cut $11.3 million in funding for programs that provided thousands of children across Iowa with locally produced meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, a move that drew protests from farmers and other groups who said it threatens their financial viability.
On Monday, the Iowa Department of Agriculture notified participants in two federal programs that buy local food that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had cut funding for 2025 to 2028, part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash federal spending.
The programs provided locally grown food to dozens of schools, day care centers and food banks in Iowa.
Cedar Rapids Gazette | Linn County event brings together food producers, consumers with goal of creating a more resilient local food system
‘If you care about healthy food, clean soil, being able to swim in our rivers (and) a thriving local economy, then join us’
Little Village | “Iowa loses $11 million as Trump administration cuts funding for schools and food banks to buy from local farmers”
Iowa will lose $11.3 million in federal funding that would have been used to buy locally produced food for schools, childcare facilities and food banks due to cuts to USDA programs by the Trump administration.
Iowa Starting Line | Federal cuts are coming home to roost on Iowa farms. More than $11 million in funding that the USDA promised to Iowa’s local food system spoiled overnight, leaving farmers facing even greater unpredictability.