In August of 2023, A Greener World (AGW) signed a contract to lead a $4 million, USDA-funded Climate-Smart Commodities project, supporting farmers implementing regenerative farming practices. After more than a year of development and recruitment, this three-year program is at a critical implementation phase. Yet over $3 million in obligated funds remain frozen due to a sudden federal funding halt—placing farmers, staff, and our partners in crisis.

Through our contract with USDA, a commitment was made to provide farmers with incentive payments for implementing climate-smart practices as well as coverage of the costs for AGW Regenerative certification and technical assistance support from RAFI, our project partner. Many farmers in the project have already begun investing in equipment, land preparation, and conservation plans based on this promised support. Now, with planting season upon us, they’re being forced to delay. We have no assurance these funds will arrive—and no guidance to offer them. Here’s what one farmer says about his experience:

“Last November, I signed a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant contract [administered by A Greener World and RAFI-USA]. I developed a detailed regenerative plan, scheduled inspections, and began a five-year journey of monitoring and reporting. All at my own time and effort. Now, due to a presidential order halting the project, it will take us many years to implement our regenerative plan for our project without funding. Farmers are expected to honor contracts with equipment dealers and lenders—shouldn’t the government honor theirs?”

— Leo Staples, farmer/owner of Staples Farm

Farmers all across the country are affected by the USDA’s funding freeze. While some farmers—like Staples Farm—haven’t yet made large purchases, others have taken out loans or signed equipment contracts based on USDA commitments that now hang in limbo.

The situation is growing increasingly difficult for all involved. Every day the freeze continues, our farmers miss critical planting windows, and our organizations are unable to fulfill our contractual obligations. While this issue winds through the court system, Congress has a chance—and a responsibility—to act.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 bill, introduced on March 27th by Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, requires USDA to:

• Unfreeze funds for legally binding contracts
• Make past due payments as quickly as possible
• Prohibit cancellation of contracts without cause
• Reopen shuttered USDA offices and prohibit from closing without justification

Four days later, Senator Booker took the floor of the U.S. Senate for 25 hours straight to speak out against broken government promises—especially to farmers and underserved communities. This is your moment to speak out, too.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Call or email your legislators today. Let them know you support the Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 and expect USDA to uphold its commitments to farmers.

Use RAFI’s Step-by-Step Advocacy Guide to plan your outreach

Visit RAFI’s Policy Action Center for scripts and templates

Log your contact with legislators here (via RAFI)

Contracts are not just paperwork. They’re commitments to our farmers, to our food system, and to the future of climate-smart agriculture. Let’s make sure those promises are kept.

You can help us reach more farmers by sharing our weekly farmer updates. Just pass this linkalong and thanks for helping us get the word out about farmer resources and AGW-certified businesses.