Small, local growers diversify the food supply chain, foster young talent in an aging industry, and reinvest money back into the local economy.

42 million Americans rely on SNAP.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has revived one farm to school grant program after canceling it earlier this year, and a pair of bipartisan bills making their way through Congress aim to restore funding for the Local Food For Schools program. But the cancellations have been a big disruption for ag producers.

The Department says the report was “politicized.” Researchers say it was vital.

Under President Trump, the USDA is rolling back programs intended to strengthen local food supply chains. Small scale farmers are most affected.

Exports of meat, corn and soybeans may grow even more expensive if tariffs take effect.

The programs accounted for more than a billion dollars’ worth of contracts for small farmers, ranchers and fishermen.

If federal funding is off the table, Howard Berk, president of Ellijay Mushrooms, says he’ll have to consider putting up more equity or taking on debt.

Back in February, the USDA told tribal leaders it was consolidating the FDPIR supply chain from two warehouses serving tribes all over the country to just one.

Because they grow without the use of most synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, organic farmers don’t have the same toolkit available to them.