On March 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m., the USDA-FSA office terminated the
KBFA Land Access, Capital, and Marketing Grant, effective March 26,
2026. It is heartbreaking to know that 49 of these grants were
terminated nationwide. My heart remains heavy, yet I am grounded in
the truth that, within the time and resources we were given, we served
our farmers with integrity, diligence, and purpose.
In the official termination letter, there was no finding of mismanagement, negligence, or
wrongdoing on our part. The concern cited centered on the inclusion of the word
“underserved” in our grant title. Despite enduring a prolonged funding freeze, complying
with every request, and submitting extensive documentation, revisions, and
restructuring as directed, the grant was ultimately terminated—cutting short a program
designed to help farmers access land and strengthen their operations.
As a result, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to release staff,
contractors, subawardees, and vendors. Even so, our commitment to our farmers
remains unwavering. We will continue to do all we can, with what we have, to support
them.
For those who feel called to assist, there are two other organizations in our region that
received the same notice; Cultivate KC is one of them. If you are able, I encourage you
to visit our websites and consider donating. Every dollar goes directly toward supporting
farmers and sustaining local agriculture.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and belief in this work. Together, we will
get through this.
“Serving Farmers since 1999”
Support can take many forms, and even small actions can create lasting impact for farmers and the future of agriculture. If you're looking for ways to contribute, here are a few meaningful places to start:
