Contact: Jessica Manly, Communications and Digital Advocacy Director
National Young Farmers Coalition
press@youngfarmers.org, 518-643-3564 x 722
(Washington, D.C., February 28, 2025) Yesterday, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution (217-215) that advances President Trump’s legislative agenda while imposing devastating spending cuts, including at least $230 billion from the Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction. These cuts are expected to disproportionately target the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) condemns the House bill, which threatens the livelihood of small and mid-sized farms, and millions of American families’ ability to put food on the table. While the proposed budget resolution purportedly aims to reduce government spending, this drastic approach reduces critical nutrition assistance for more than 40 million people, including farmers, farmworkers, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and the country’s most vulnerable populations.
“SNAP sales represent about 5% of our farm’s sales each year. Accepting SNAP is an essential part of our business and makes the fruits and vegetables that we grow more accessible to all customers,” said Kaitlyn Kimball of Sunset Farm in Connecticut. “Cuts to the SNAP program will hurt our most vulnerable community members and limit access to fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in urban areas. We urge Congress to fully fund the SNAP program and consider the positive impact the program has on nutrition, but also farmers’ sales.”
“The House budget clearly prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans above the needs and interests of farmers, working class Americans, and our most vulnerable community members,” said Michelle Hughes, co-executive director of the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Cutting trillions of dollars from our country’s food and agriculture systems, critical medical care, cancer research, food assistance, climate action, and educational programs shows an unconscionable disregard for the workers growing food for our communities and trying to make ends meet.”
The House budget resolution instructs congressional committees to slash at least $2 trillion in spending to fund tax cuts, including deep reductions in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and other critical safety nets that support rural and urban farming communities alike. If these cuts move forward, they will:
Cut at least $880 billion from Medicaid and ACA premium assistance, forcing states to reduce coverage, limit benefits, or remove millions of low-income individuals and families—including farmers and farmworkers—from affordable healthcare access.
Slash at least $330 billion from student loan programs and Pell Grants, making higher education and vocational training even more out of reach for young farmers already burdened by student debt. Many will be forced to choose between repaying loans or investing in their farm businesses.
Strip at least $230 billion from SNAP and child nutrition programs, cutting food assistance for at least 9 million people and reducing free school meal access for children, worsening food insecurity across rural and urban communities.
Strain local food economies by reducing consumer purchasing power at farmers markets and local food hubs.
The Coalition’s 2022 National Young Farmer Survey found that 40% of young farmers identified healthcare costs as a major barrier to staying in agriculture, and 38% of young farmers reported struggling with student loan debt. Cuts to Medicaid and student loan programs will exacerbate financial hardships for beginning farmers, many of whom already struggle to access capital.
At the same time, the attack on SNAP will hurt farmers and rural economies by reducing purchasing power for fresh, local foods. The Food Research & Action Center’s (FRAC) latest report underscores that every $1 in SNAP benefits generates up to $1.80 in economic activity. The impact of these cuts would be devastating for farmers, food retailers, and local businesses—particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.
While the House budget resolution is just the first step in the budget reconciliation process, it sets up a lengthy and arduous negotiation process with the Senate. The National Young Farmers Coalition calls on Congress to reject these harmful cuts and defend SNAP as an essential program for both recipients and farmers.
We stand in solidarity with farmers, food justice advocates, and communities across the country in demanding a fair and just budget that prioritizes people over profits.
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The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is a national grassroots network of young farmers changing policy and shifting power to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. Visit Young Farmers on the web at www.youngfarmers.org, and on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.