URBANA: Budzinski Hosts Agriculture Roundtable on Impacts of Administrative Actions

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski represents Illinois’ 13th Congressional District

For Immediate Release – March 20, 2025

URBANA, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, visited Sola Gratia Farms in Urbana to engage with individuals and organizations impacted by the Trump Administration’s policies on climate-smart agriculture and the local farm economy. She was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II, and a group of experts, including farmers and conservation advocates, to discuss the impending impact of these policies.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Illinois’s economy, playing a crucial role in improving the climate, stewarding our land, providing healthy food, and creating jobs. However, the Trump Administration’s actions to cancel contracts, withhold funding, and dismantle key programs put all of this at risk,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Today, I was grateful to convene farmers and community stakeholders to hear firsthand the potential consequences of these actions. We are committed to standing together and fighting to protect Illinois agriculture and those who depend on it.”

“Farming is a way of life in Illinois – the bedrock of our economy and the backbone of our communities, and it’s a tradition passed down by families from generation to generation. That way of life is under attack by the leaders of our country,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’re working with our agricultural communities to Stand Up for Illinois — to highlight the damage Trump and Musk are doing to our family farms, our agricultural industry, and the hardworking people who rely on USDA programs for support.”

“I am grateful to join Governor Pritzker and Representative Budzinski in standing up for Illinois farmers,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. “As stewards of Illinois’ fertile soil, we know conservation efforts are critical to maintaining the agriculture industry for generations to come. Federal funding cuts – whether for conservation efforts, infrastructure investments or critical food programs – are devastating to Illinois farmers.”

“Our produce farm helps those with limited means in our community afford and access healthy fresh food. Approximately one-third of Sola’s income comes from grant funding and of that, half is from federal funds available through USDA programs, nearly $90,000 for just 2025 is currently at risk,” said Traci Barkley, Director of Sola Gratia Farms. “We are extremely alarmed with the chaos regarding freezing federal funds and widespread layoffs. Each of these federal grant programs was approved and funds were appropriated by Congress…the contracts have been signed. Never have we ever considered not honoring a signed contract- how can the federal government?”

“In 2024, the Transition to Organic Partnership Program supported nearly 650 Illinois farmers with direct support for conservation-minded, organic farming practices. It also provided technical assistance for over 18,000 acres of Illinois farmland. The interest and demand for services supporting conservation-minded farmers continues to grow in Illinois and programs like the Transition to Organic Partnership Program are meeting that demand in ways we haven’t seen before,” said Jacquelyn Evers, Executive Director of The Land Connection.

“As an organization working on climate policy on behalf of environmental groups, sustainable business interests, and the climate-smart agriculture community, we are thrilled to see Congresswoman Budzinski leaning in with Illinoisans in her district and beyond to hear firsthand the on-the-ground impacts of Elon Musk and Trump’s funding cuts. These conversations lead to partnerships that lead to greater understanding of the solutions that lift all of us for a cleaner and more prosperous future,” said Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council.

“As an organization that provides research, education, and technical assistance to farmers and landholders, Savanna Institute, and the farms they work with have been impacted by recent USDA funding uncertainty. Farmers need technical assistance and there is still high demand, especially for producers wanting to implement agroforestry for conservation and profit. Losing federal support for technical assistance would be a significant loss for Illinois farmers, Illinois’ natural resources, and local farm economies,” said Kaitie Adams, Demonstration Farms Director of the Savanna Institute.

“Illinois farmers and rural small businesses were counting on USDA’s REAP funding to invest in solar and energy efficiency projects to lower costs, reduce pollution, and build resilience in Illinois. Instead, they’ve been blindsided by broken promises and funding cuts that leave them on the hook for projects they’ve already started. We need immediate action to ensure that the funding Congress allocated is delivered as promised and to protect critical REAP and other climate funding into the future,” said Maggie Bruns, Executive Director of the Prairie Rivers Network.

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