A profound imbalance in US agricultural funding is pushing small-scale farmers to the brink, new analysis reveals, as federal support overwhelmingly favours industrial-scale operations.
A System Stacked Against Small Producers
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invests a mere $1 in local farms for every $1,054 it directs to industrial farms, according to its own forecasts. This structural bias manifests in direct payments and emergency subsidies, with an average of $40bn earmarked primarily for large-scale operations, compared to just $33.5m in competitive grants for small farmers.
"Policies and small margins are working against us … If you’re a small farm, you’re effectively shut out," said Alesha Gonzales of La Huerta de Alesha farm in Hephzibah, Georgia. Gonzales warns that many small family farms, defined by the USDA as majority family-owned with annual income under $350,000, may not survive until 2026.
Cuts Deepen the Crisis for Communities
The precarious position of small farmers was thrown into sharp relief during the so-called "Snap-ocalypse" in October. The temporary suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) left over 40 million Americans scrambling for food, with many turning to local farmers for help.
Frederick Griffin of Ebony Tree Farms in Evans, Georgia, explained the dilemma: "In moments of natural disasters or crises... it’s natural for people to look to small farms for stability. What many don’t see is that small farms feel the shock of a crisis just as quickly."
Recent federal cuts have worsened the situation. Programmes like Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA), which channelled over $1bn to institutions to buy from local producers, have been cancelled. The termination of the Regional Food Business Centers programme has also stripped away vital support networks.
"The end of so-called 'DEI' programmes aimed at supporting women, Bipoc, queer and young farmers doesn’t level the playing field; it mainly benefits massive, mostly white commercial operations," said Oriana J Bolden of Sierra Saffron Herb & Herb Co in California.
The Path Forward Requires Policy Shift
Advocates argue that restoring the USDA's original commitment to family-owned farms, derailed since the 1970s, is essential. Key steps include permanently funding local food procurement and expanding SNAP incentive models, like Georgia's "Fresh for Less," which encourage purchases from small farmers.
The irony is stark: the SNAP suspension began on 24 October, the same day the UN renewed its sustainable development goal to eliminate hunger by 2030. As the USDA widens the holes in the food safety net, both the most vulnerable consumers and the small growers who sustain local economies are falling through.
