Other Ag News: Release: FY2027 USDA Budget Proposal is a Historic Setback for Farmers and Rural Communities

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

press@sustainableagriculture.net

Washington, DC, April 3, 2026 –  Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) responded to the Trump Administration’s release of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Proposal. The Administration’s FY2027 discretionary funding request for USDA is more than $2 billion below the Administration’s FY2026 USDA request.

“The Administration’s USDA budget proposes one of the most staggering disinvestments from farmers and rural communities in recent memory. Amidst rising farm bankruptcies and unprecedented instability in American agriculture, this budget proposal would double down on the damage and radically reduce USDA’s ability to serve farmers. The budget entirely eliminates funding for farmer-led agriculture research, conservation support that helps farmers build productivity and resilience, and investments in urban agriculture and rural small businesses alike,” said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.

The budget proposal includes significant staffing cuts at the Farm Service Agency, a USDA agency that is essential to supporting farmer viability in county offices across the country. Similarly, the budget would siphon significant funding directly from farmers by using popular conservation programs – such as the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program – to pay for Natural Resources Conservation Service staff. 

Additionally, the following programs would receive zero discretionary funding in FY2027 under this budget proposal:

• Conservation Technical Assistance
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
• Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program:
  • Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
  • Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program
• Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
• Local Agriculture Market Program:
  • Farmers Market Promotion Program
  • Local Food Promotion Program
  • Value Added Producer Grants
• Organic Transitions Research, Education, and Extension Program
• Healthy Food Financing Initiative
• Rural Energy for American Program
• Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
• Rural Business Development Grants

Stay tuned to the NSAC blog for deeper analysis of the FY2027 USDA budget in the coming days.

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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. 

Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net

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