The Inflation Reduction Act has sent $2.3 billion directly to farmers, ranchers and foresters. (Mark Alan Howard/Adobe Stock)
Mar 10, 2025
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By Eric Tegethoff
Chaos in the U.S. Department of Agriculture is creating stress for farmers in North Carolina and across the country.
A funding freeze by the Trump administration has left many farmers in precarious positions as they prepare their next crop.
Patrick Brown is a fourth-generation farmer in Warren County who grows corn, wheat, soybeans and other crops.
He’s enrolled in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, but said he is unsure what the future looks like with the current turmoil.
“It’s really terrifying going to this year, faced with this level of financial uncertainty,” said Brown, “but also the markets and the tariffs that are being announced daily, and the mental-health aspect of farming as well.
Brown was previously enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP. Agriculture conservation programs such as EQIP received funding boosts from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
However, the Trump administration is withholding IRA funds, putting into doubt contracts for nearly 31,000 farmers across the country. The administration says it’s reviewing these funds.
Brown said extreme weather conditions have been a challenge, and last year was one of the worst he’s seen – with two hurricanes hitting North Carolina.
“We’re supposed to receive that emergency relief this month,” said Brown. “However, we’re facing a government shutdown on March 13, which would jeopardize that as well. And not just myself as a farmer in North Carolina, but a farmer throughout the entire country.”
Brown said he wants to pass his farm on to the next generation.
“I have an 11-year-old son who I want to also be part of that fifth generation of farmers that’s coming right behind me,” said Brown. “So my duty as the fourth generation is continue to maintain this farm that’s been in operation for 165 years. I don’t want my generation to be the generation that gave up, and I’ll die before I give up on it.”