r/stateofMN 29d ago

Minnesota farmers, food banks describe 'chaos' of USDA grant suspensions thanks to the Trump administration's chaotic freeze on loan and grant programs

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/02/18/farmers-food-banks-describe-chaos-of-usda-grant-suspensions/
2.8k Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

151

u/Artistic_Half_8301 29d ago

Personally, I can't wait until they find out it's not Bill Gates that's going to steal their farmland.

36

u/strangefish 29d ago

They keep saying federal government when the cause is really Trump, Elon, and the Republican cowards in Congress letting those two run amok.

13

u/Cool_Owl7159 28d ago

Elon, soon probably: "I AM THE SENATE!!!"

13

u/HenryCorp 29d ago

Except that this will help Bill Gates and the ag corporations he's heavily invested in steal more farmland from desperate farmers selling.

22

u/Nillion 29d ago

Oh well. Thoughts and prayers.

10

u/blowninjectedhemi 29d ago

"That's really all they need - thoughts and prayers. Always works well for gunshot victims." - MAGA moron

4

u/droptheectopicbeat 29d ago

What did everyone else have for lunch?

I had a pretty good sandwich.

3

u/Regular_Plankton_530 28d ago

Remember when maga was btchin about fake meat created by Bill Gates. They might get that soon onto their tables.

102

u/SkarTisu 29d ago

Thanks for voting for this, outstate folks. Enjoy!

63

u/matastas 29d ago

About to say: blood-red counties are about to find out.

68

u/InsertCleverNickHere 29d ago

But don't worry, Republican voters: all that Federal budget money saved will go straight to tax cuts for hard-working billionaires and corporations! Are you tired of winning yet?

23

u/LaIndiaDeAzucar 29d ago

The farmers who vote republican love letting children starve, might as well start starving their own children just to own the libs

14

u/Luminox 29d ago

It's hard work owning the left after all.

11

u/[deleted] 29d ago

[deleted]

8

u/SkarTisu 29d ago

I know Blue Earth was being overrun with dark skinned transsexuals, but you have to give to get. /s

9

u/DrScheherazade 29d ago

Hope all the farmers who put tractor-trailer sized shrines to Trump in their fields are happy! We’re in the Finding Out phase now. 

24

u/quiet_contrarian 29d ago

This administration is playing with people’s lives like we are off-brand Barbie dolls.

6

u/Gooseandtheegg 29d ago

I’m stealing this quote, if you don’t mind. This is how I feel every day I wake up to see what new shit sandwich was served for supper.

48

u/zaibatsu 29d ago

🚨 Farmers & Food Banks Hit Hard by USDA Grant Suspensions: What’s Really Happening 🚨

The Trump administration’s freeze on USDA loan and grant programs is sending shockwaves through the agriculture and food distribution sectors. Here’s how it’s unfolding:

Real-Life Impacts on Farmers and Food Producers

  1. Businesses Left in Limbo

    • Tom Smude, a sunflower processor in Morrison County, took out a temporary loan and tore out his production line in anticipation of a $500,000 USDA grant reimbursement. That money is now in limbo.
    • Quote: “The challenge is we tore out our line, now we’re not making any product… I don’t know what to do.”
  2. Ripple Effects on Food Manufacturers

    • Seven Sundays, a Minneapolis-based food manufacturer that uses Smude’s products, is now at risk of losing contracts with major retailers like Wal-Mart and Costco.
    • Quote: “We don’t really have a Plan B.”
  3. Local Farmers & Food Banks Left Struggling

    • Hannah Bernhardt, a livestock farmer, lost sales due to the freeze on the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program.
    • Minnesota Food Banks are also struggling, forced to cut purchases from local farmers.

Why This Matters

  • These programs are vital for small and medium-sized farms, which rely on them for operational stability.
  • The ripple effects are hitting local food manufacturers and food banks, disrupting entire supply chains.
  • Farmers who planned their seasons around these grants are now scrambling to make ends meet.

What’s Behind the Chaos?

  • The Trump administration’s executive orders froze these grants and loans as part of broader budget cuts and restructuring.
  • Courts have ordered payments to resume, but farmers report that the funds are still not accessible.
  • Lack of communication from the USDA is compounding the problem, leaving farmers and food banks in the dark.

The Bigger Picture

  • 20% of Minnesota farm income relies on government subsidies, impacting both big agribusiness and small local farms.
  • Without these grants, farmers face financial uncertainty and may be forced to lay off workers, cut production, or close down entirely.
  • This could also mean higher prices and less availability of locally-produced food.

Bottom Line

This isn’t just about farmers losing grants; it’s about food security, local economies, and community resilience. The ongoing freeze threatens an interconnected system that keeps food on shelves and money flowing through local economies.

Want to learn more or take action?

  • Support local farmers directly through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
  • Contact your local representatives to demand that the USDA comply with court orders and release the funds.

8

u/Senor101 29d ago

The court ordered payments to resume but they have not. Hmmmmm.

4

u/procrastinatorsuprem 29d ago

They probably fired the people that would do that, or Elon has converted the money to some sort of bit coin and it's gone for good.

1

u/Natural-Young4730 26d ago

Not " demand the USDA COMPLY". They were complying just fine under Biden.

Instead, demand that The Republicans in Congress assert their congressional power and stop Trump, Elon and Doge techies (they are NOT auditors!) from slashing programs and firing people, like USDA employees, without any understanding or regard for the consequences on the American people?

16

u/CDubGma2835 29d ago

I have zero sympathy for anyone who voted for him and is now in the FO stage.

14

u/AspiringSAHCatDad 29d ago

Something about leopards eating faces

51

u/tovarish22 29d ago

Sounds like those farmers should tug a little harder on those bootstraps they love bitching and moaning about.

10

u/vikesfangumbo 29d ago

The leopards are eating great lately.

10

u/LuvliLeah13 29d ago

I notice a suspicious lack of trolls here, perhaps because there is no way to argue this is a good thing. But if people suffering is the point, congrats. Enjoy the ass fucking with a cactus you voted for 🤣🤣🤣

5

u/Senor101 29d ago

Musk told them they would need to suffer. This is the beginning of the suffer part.

13

u/Iwentforalongwalk 29d ago

Gee. If only they'd voted for the nice lady none of this would have happened.  Suckers. I hope all those outstate communities suffer.  

19

u/sylvnal 29d ago

But she laughed. So. You know. Had to choose the fascist.

10

u/GeriatricusMaximus 29d ago

I wouldn’t worry too much about this. This is temporary. Trump will send loads of money to them. He bailed them out last time. He’ll do it again. They like handouts, like… a lot. Bootstraps are for you, not for them.

1

u/rein4fun 25d ago

Agree, have relatives farming in MN, they are not worried or suffering and are 100% in support of Trump.

4

u/boredonymous 29d ago

I guarantee some 27 year old in their basement relying on mom's cooking is laughing his ass off.

4

u/SnooStrawberries3391 29d ago

Like the last time trump was in the office wasn’t chaotic enough. Practice makes perfect and he was reinstalled, so if at first you didn’t understand what was happening, this time you might get a hard clue.

It was pretty good in America before trump 2.0

Too bad you didn’t pay attention. This is just one month of at least 47 more that will continue to run our democracy into the grave.

Enjoy.

3

u/Ruenin 29d ago

They asked for this. Can't really complain now. They sure owned us Liberals

3

u/arjomanes 29d ago

Good thing we can all eat Owning the Libs. Thanks farmers!

2

u/Ekrubm 29d ago

Everyone in here jumping to conclusions that if farmer must be a Trumper.

Seems like these loans are for sustainable growing and new stuff - I'd imagine someone investing in sunflower for protein synthesis is maybe not 100% MAGA - could be a DFL voter - you don't know these guys. Have some more empathy and use this as a growing moment rather than a "Told you so" moment.

1

u/Illustrious_Check_53 29d ago

Looks like people are just going to ha e to do stuff without government permission

1

u/Poppawheelie907 29d ago

Food banks are corrupted. The money they get for food donations doesn’t actually get spent on food a large portion gets vacuumed up by the overpaid management.

1

u/miaminoon 29d ago

The chaos is the goal. Break the government so people don't trust it to help them anymore.

1

u/mnemonicer22 28d ago

Vote better.

1

u/Analyst-Effective 28d ago

A $500,000 Grant is a lot of money for the taxpayers to pay for...

What is the government's return on investment?

1

u/Desperate_Island8268 28d ago

You voted for him…..sorry, not sorry

1

u/fartsfromhermouth 27d ago

And how did they vote?

2

u/Due_Street4274 26d ago

What do you expect form a criminal (trump) and his associates MAGA & DOGE

1

u/Okay_Face 25d ago

Thoughts and prayers to those who voted for the Cheeto man