Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 80° Today's Paper


Breaking News

Farmers sue Trump over frozen Inflation Reduction Act funds

REUTERS/GARY CAMERON/FILE PHOTO
                                The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seen in Washington, in March 2012. Several U.S. farmers and nonprofits filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today, arguing it is illegally withholding Department of Agriculture grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

REUTERS/GARY CAMERON/FILE PHOTO

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seen in Washington, in March 2012. Several U.S. farmers and nonprofits filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today, arguing it is illegally withholding Department of Agriculture grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Several U.S. farmers and nonprofits filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today, arguing it is illegally withholding Department of Agriculture grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The USDA has frozen a broad swath of grants as it conducts an agency-wide spending review, including money for conservation and other farm programs funded by the IRA.

The five farmers involved in the suit were awarded grants from a USDA Rural Energy for America Program to install solar panels. The three nonprofits involved were awarded Forest Service grants.

The farmers have entered into contracts with solar installers and incurred costs they worry will not be recoverable if the grants are not unfrozen, the complaint says.

The nonprofit groups have had to furlough or lay off staff or cut programs as a result of the freeze, it says.

“This is not government efficiency. It is thoughtless waste that inflicts unwarranted financial pain on small farmers and organizations trying to improve their communities,” said Hana Vizcarra, senior attorney at Earthjustice, which is representing the plaintiffs, in a statement.

The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has said the agency is beginning to unfreeze IRA grants to farmers, but the agency has not provided details of how much money has been released or on what timetable.

The Trump administration issued an executive order freezing disbursement of IRA funds in January, but said the freeze only applied to clean energy projects.

The administration has been blocked by two judges from broad federal spending freezes.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.