Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate in February. Image taken from U.S. Senate broadcast

Maine Sen. Angus King joined with Senate Democrats on Monday to introduce legislation that would force the Trump administration to release federal agricultural funding that has been withheld from farmers with signed contracts, including many in Maine.

The Honor Farmers Contracts Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make overdue payments as soon as possible, forbid cancellation of agricultural contracts without proof of a contract violation and prohibit the closure of agricultural offices without justifying it to Congress.

“The Honor Farmer Contracts Act would ensure that Maine’s farmers receive the federal funding from all signed agreements and contracts as quickly as possible to prevent any operations from having to shut down,” King said. “This is a critical step to protect the Maine agricultural economy and food supply.”

Maine farmers are still waiting for the USDA to release about $12 million in contractually obligated conservation grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), President Joe Biden’s landmark climate legislation, despite a judge’s order and USDA’s promise to do so.

Farmers in Brunswick, Dresden, Freeport, West Gardiner and Whitefield are waiting on funds owed to them for completing approved conservation projectcs that range from improving soil health to carbon sequestration to planting crops that attract pollinators.

The Trump administration defends the funding cuts as necessary to rein in runaway federal spending and eliminate climate change and diversity programs it finds offensive and wasteful, beliefs that have been echoed by new Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

The federal cuts were discussed at a Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association panel Friday.

“What we’ve just learned (Friday) is that the USDA, even though they have said that IRA funds are unfrozen, and that the contracts are going to move forward, we are finding out they are still holding up those funds,” Sarah Alexander, MOFGA’s executive director, said on Friday.

Annie Watson pets one of her Holsteins at Sheepscot Valley Farm. Watson, a first-generation dairy farmer in Whitefield, is the president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Without these funds, most Maine farmers couldn’t afford these conservation programs, said Annie Watson, a first-generation dairy farmer in Whitefield who is the president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Just writing a manure management plan can cost up to $10,000, she said.

As much as she wants to protect the environment, Watson admits the freeze makes her hesitant to sign a new USDA conservation contract to build cattle stream crossings on some newly acquired land that would protect the water quality of the Sheepscot River.

“It’s incredibly important that that water is protected,” Watson said Friday. “If we go through all of these processes and at the end of it are not able to recoup any of the cost, it could absolutely tank our business. That’s a hard gamble for folks to make.”

If not quickly made whole, some farms will be forced to make difficult financial decisions, or even close.

Not all farms are facing a funding freeze, but bill supporters say almost all will be hurt by USDA program and staff cuts.

The USDA in February fired 6,000 employees who worked on issues ranging from food security to invasive crop diseases. A judge ordered a 45-day stay on the terminations.

“The economic sustainability of the Maine agricultural community requires constant change and innovation to remain competitive in this global marketplace,” said Eric Venturini of the Agricultural Council of Maine. “USDA staffing and funding are all essential programs that support Maine farms.”

The bill is co-sponsored by 16 Democratic senators, including the following from New England: Peter Welch of Vermont, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine did not respond to a reporter’s question Monday asking if she would support the bill, but her staff said Collins wrote to Secretary Rollins on March 20 to share her concerns about USDA’s delay in releasing already-contracted funds.

The timing of this funding is critical to farmers in Maine, Collins told Rollins.

“Agriculture producers are purchasing seeds and products that they will plant in just a few months,” Collins wrote. “Processing facilities need to order equipment to be available for fall harvest. … It is essential that farmers receive clarity that money they have planned for will be released.”