We’re all aware that things have been feeling a bit shaky lately—including when we think of agriculture. From the Avian Influenza outbreak to nationwide egg shortages and, for farmers, one of the most painful announcements since the beginning of 2025: federal grant funding freezes.
This news doesn’t just affect all new grants that farmers and producers might apply for in 2025, but includes any funds awarded in 2024. Last year, our farm, Pat’s Pastured, was lucky enough to earn several impactful awards including MCap (local meat processors) to help upgrade our processing and food safety equipment in our USDA processing facility; a FLSP Grant (assistance with the H-2A temporary visa program for farm workers); an RFSI Grant (Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant); and two NRCS Grants (for various infrastructure improvements). Loss of this funding affects all aspects of our farm.
Our friends who operate an organic vegetable farm in Little Compton were awaiting funds to be paid out for grants awarded last year for solar panels and winter hoop houses to help extend the growing season while also keeping farm employees employed in what would typically be a season for layoffs. Personal investments were expended in anticipation of the grant funding, making the freeze more punishing. It’s a story being repeated across the nation. Large corporate farms like Cargill and Tyson Foods actually receive federal dollars too— in the form of subsidies, tax credits and reimbursements. The grants that small farms apply for and potentially receive from the USDA help “level the playing field” to help us compete with larger corporate farms.
Did you know that in the United States:
- 85% of all beef market sales and processing is dominated by four companies— two of them Brazilian owned.
- Chicken is dominated by four companies—one is Brazilian owned.
- Pork is dominated by three companies—one is Chinese owned; the others Brazilian owned.
Farms like Pat’s Pastured are working towards building local resilience to our food systems. During the Covid pandemic, processing plants shut down in unprecedented numbers. Grocery store shelves saw the immediate ripple effect while national food systems teetered on the verge of collapse.
Our business grew considerably during that period because people understood we had products available they were seeking. They also began to understand the health benefits. We frequently hear from our customers how switching up their diets to include locally grown fruits/vegetables and pasture-raised eggs and meats has led to positive health changes—less brain fog, healthier gut, less sore muscles/joints and more. They’re willing to make the investment in regeneratively raised products for health and well-being.
In addition, as a small family farm we help to:
- Create jobs for and put dollars back in the local economy.
- Create resilient regionally based food systems.
- Provide habitat, carbon sequestration and other positive environmental impacts.
The farm-related grants for which funding has been frozen traditionally empower small farm processors and growers to improve their infrastructures so they can play a more critical role in local food systems. Since the funding freeze was announced, farmers around the country are facing financial challenges that undermine the success and future viability of their farms.
Supporting your local farmers whenever and however you can is one of the first steps in this thawing process. It also helps make the things we can’t control feel a little less icy.
Patrick McNiff is the co-founder/farmer of Pat’s Pastured, a regenerative farm located in East Greenwich, RI, that specializes in pasture-raised poultry, beef and pork. Jeanette Tate is the farm’s marketing manager. Learn more about Pat and his family farm at PatsPastured.com.
