Maine’s organic farmers rally against USDA actions under Rollins

Organic farmers, food system organizers, and legislators gathered on April 16 at the Maine State House for the Farmer Day of Action — a tractor parade and rally calling on federal leaders to honor commitments for funding that benefits small farms, conservation methods, and local food systems.

Other events were held in Middlebury, Vermont, as well as virtually. 

The demonstration was organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association through partnerships with groups like the Crown O’Maine Organic Cooperative. The aim was to highlight the economic squeeze Maine’s organic and small farmers feel in the wake of deep federal program cuts, layoffs, and the cancellation of critical U.S. Department of Agriculture contracts.

On top of the loss of funding, these farm groups have been hit with canceled climate projects, delayed contract payments, and the elimination of millions of dollars in local food purchasing contracts — monies that subsidized farm-to-school partnerships, food banks, conservation projects, and infrastructure. Insult has been added to injury as tariffs and rises in equipment costs are forcing many producers into making difficult financial decisions.

One rally participant, for example, was Kevin Leavitt, owner of Farmer Kev’s Organic in Winthrop, Maine. He said he was promised a $45,000 grant from the USDA’s Rural Energy For America Program and now stands to lose a loan he took out to kickstart a green energy project, and potentially foot the entire cost of roughly $150,000.

Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association noted that her organization is seeing 14 different USDA contracts totaling more than $1 million being impacted.

The uncertainty has left some farmers questioning whether they will be reimbursed for work already performed under federal contracts, a move that has sparked widespread anger within Maine’s farming community.

The morning began at Manley and State Streets, where farmers had parked tractors and trucks in line to creep slowly to the Capitol. The audience then gathered near the Cross Building to hear speakers, including farmers, policymakers, and activists, who voiced dismay at how recent federal decisions are undermining decades of hard-won progress for Maine’s agriculture industry.

“We’re standing up for Maine farmers because these federal cuts don’t just affect them — they affect the entire food system,” said one organizer. “When farmers lose out, local schools, food banks, and families lose out too.”

The organic farmers also took the opportunity to urge federal lawmakers to re-introduce the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, modeled after successful legislation in Maine, which aims to ensure a financial safety net for farmers whose livelihood is threatened by PFAS pollution.

Attendees penned letters, often including handwritten notes describing their farms, and sent them to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Legislators such as state Sens. Henry Ingwersen, Stacy Brenner, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree joined the crowd, pledging their continued support for Maine farms and the local food economy.

According to Deb Soifer, Pingree offered to to carry a bucket of organic, Maine-grown hog manure back to D.C. 

On Saturday, April 19, another Farmer Day of Action will take place at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. The event is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. CT and will feature a lineup of speakers, including Missouri farmer and social media influencer Will Westmoreland.

»Related: USDA scraps $3 billion climate program, citing lack of farm impact