Missouri Rancher Faces Ruin as Trump Administration Freezes Farm Funding

Skylar Holden, a cattle rancher in Missouri, had entered into a $240,000 cost-sharing agreement with the Department of Agriculture. This agreement involved adding fencing and improving the watering system for his property. However, the Trump administration abruptly froze federal funding, leaving Mr. Holden in a precarious position.

He was suddenly out tens of thousands of dollars and on the hook for tens of thousands more in labor and material costs. This unexpected financial burden put his farm at risk. "Whenever my farm payment comes due, there's a good chance that I'm not going to be able to pay it," he said in an interview.

Mr. Holden's situation highlights the potential impact of the Trump administration's actions on farmers across the country. A series of directives have paused federal funding on a range of programs and grants, causing confusion and panic among rural communities.

Billions of dollars in funding are at stake. One executive order targets the Inflation Reduction Act, including money for farmers to conserve soil and water and to complete energy projects. Other directives affect grants to states and producers. Another, which froze U.S. foreign aid spending, temporarily left hundreds of millions of dollars worth of food and supplies sitting in ports and has stopped future purchases of grains and goods.

These actions have created uncertainty and hardship for farmers like Mr. Holden, who rely on government support to maintain their operations. The long-term consequences of these funding freezes remain to be seen.