Budzinski Presses Ag Secretary Rollins on Woefully Insufficient USDA Budget, Cancelling of Local Food Program
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins during a House Agriculture Committee hearing where she raised serious concerns with President Trump’s budget proposal for USDA that suggests slashing funding for agriculture research, nutrition assistance, and conservation.
She cited the recent testimony of farmers to the House Agriculture Committee, in which they shared how conservation programs, which the President seeks to eliminate, have helped improve their livelihoods.
“The idea that we would take away opportunities to improve farmers’ livelihoods – and to completely eliminate Conservation Technical Assistance, which farmers have told this committee directly that they rely on – is ridiculous,” said Congresswoman Budzinski.
She also highlighted Secretary Rollins’ misguided decision to eliminate the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Local Foods for Schools programs that connect farmers with food banks, schools, and small businesses. Congresswoman Budzinski described the impact of these cuts on Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana, Illinois, and Martinelli’s Deli in Champaign, Illinois.
“The rug was pulled out from under them when USDA cancelled LFPA contracts. Contracts which helped them to buy locally and feed our communities. Now, tariffs are driving up Martinelli’s other prices – and Sola Gratia lost purchasers,” said Congresswoman Budzinski.
Finally, Congresswoman Budzinski urged Secretary Rollins to work with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate funding for the Soybean Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois, which was closed when the Trump administration shuttered USAID. The Soybean Innovation Lab conducts critical research that expands markets for Illinois growers.
Budzinski’s remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Craig.
Secretary Rollins, thank you for taking the time to appear before this committee.
My district is home to some of the nation’s most productive farmland, with some of the top corn and soybean producing counties in the country as well as a wide variety of specialty crop operations.
It’s also home to facilities for some big names in the agricultural industry – ADM, Primient, Kraft, Tillamook just opened a factory in Decatur, plants for Corteva, Bayer, Nutrien, and more.
And, of course, it is home to a tremendous amount of ag research – at my alma mater, the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and our many great community colleges.
So I am sure you can understand why I am so thrilled to serve on this committee – because the work we do here, and the work done at USDA, matters so much to my district.
Madam Secretary, do you agree that the primary function of USDA is to serve farmers and rural communities?
Well, Madam Secretary, I have some concerns about the way things have been going over the last 6 months.
Just to start, the President’s budget for USDA was abysmal. It kneecaps ag research, threatens American dominance in international development, forces women, infants, and children to go hungry, and decimates NRCS.
Just last week – in this committee – we heard directly from farmers about the importance and success of conservation programs for their operations.
The idea that we would take away opportunities to improve farmers’ livelihoods – and to completely eliminate Conservation Technical Assistance, which farmers have told this committee directly that they rely on – is ridiculous.
I urge you to be thoughtful about the impacts of the suggestions you have made. These are not inconsequential programs. There is no backstop. Please, consider the farmers you claim to serve.
I also want to bring to your attention some changes that have been made that have caused serious issues within my district.
The elimination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance and the Local Foods for Schools programs was incredibly distressing in my district and across Illinois.
This program was an incredible opportunity to connect farmers with their neighbors in need as well as local small businesses.
I’m lucky to have a great relationship with Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana, a fruit and vegetable operation whose primary goal is to provide food to local residents, particularly for vulnerable populations. LFPA helped them accomplish that goal.
They also were connected to local small businesses through LFPA, like Martinelli’s Market in Champaign. And Martinelli’s is also dealing with the administration’s tariffs driving up the prices of their ingredients.
So the rug was pulled out from under them when USDA cancelled LFPA contracts. Contracts which helped them to buy locally and feed our communities. Now, tariffs are driving up Martinelli’s other prices – and Sola Gratia lost purchasers.
This is just an example of the many concerns I have for my district. But I want to also use my time to draw your attention to an opportunity for USDA.
With this administration’s shuttering of USAID, Feed the Future labs across the country have closed with the exception of one at Kansas State University, the Climate Resilient Cereals Lab.
One lab that was impacted and therefore closed was in my district. The Soybean Innovation Lab, or SIL at the University of Illinois, has been conducting critical research for over 12 years on new varieties of soybeans.
This research not only supports developing nations, but it supports domestic growers. Development of soybean genetics in the United States helps us maintain our global dominance in the soy market, which is critical for farmers across the heartland.
It also introduces brand new international markets to American products, which I know is a mission of this administration. According to Dr. Peter Goldsmith, the Lab’s director, SIL builds markets, reduces uncertainty, and de-risks commercial interests for developing nations – all while showcasing American agriculture.
I understand that the majority of USAID activity has been moved to the Department of State, including programming for the Feed the Future Lab at Kansas State.
Madam Secretary, I ask that you please look into the importance of the Soybean Innovation Lab for American agriculture, and that you urge Secretary Rubio to consider reopening this lab. It is in the best interest of American farmers, and I know that their work will help you accomplish your mission for USDA. Thank you and I yield back.
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