Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Visit to our Farm

As farmers, we’re on the front lines—growing the food our communities rely on—and we count on our elected officials to champion the policies that make this work possible.

At its core, farming is an act of service and stewardship. We care for the most essential asset our nation has: fertile land. And as climate instability and food insecurity escalate, protecting our soil, water, and the farmers who steward them to grow our food and fuel must be a top priority for Maryland and the country.

To do this well, we rely on strong partnerships—including with the USDA. Farmers of all types engage with USDA programs—whether through crop insurance, SNAP access at farmers markets, conservation cost-shares, research, or grants and loans. These tools help us stay in business, grow responsibly, and feed more people.

On April 15, we had the honor of hosting US Senator Chris Van Hollen to the farm for an Agricultural Roundtable in which farmers throughout the region came out to share how federal policies and USDA funding cuts are affecting our operations throughout the state.

We heard from a grain farmer who is gravely concerned about the fate of his 50th growing season due to retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and Canada – two markets they heavily depend on to get inputs and to sell their grain to. He said when this happened in the last Trump administration they couldn’t make a profit due to their already thin margins being squeezed.

We heard from a livestock farmer about the increase in feed prices as well as an increase on his operating expenses across the board due to tariffs– and he’s worried that his customer base won’t be able to continue to buy his products if he increases prices, as many of them are federal workers facing job loss and insecurity.

A craft beer maker stated that hops prices have gone up 40% and the cost of bottles are rising – and he’s concerned about the math penciling out on his operation this year. Wine makers said they are in the same boat – Cultivate + Craft estimated that nearly 50% of Maryland craft beer and wine makers may go out of business within the year if these stressors continue.

A flower farmer raised concerns about working with this USDA administration as they are not supporting projects that use key words including climate change, clean water, PFAS, equity and runoff – and she asks how we can possibly engage with an organization that won’t let us use language that describes our realities.

I shared how the cancellation of the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Procurement for Food Banks programs is negatively affecting our farm and leaving us searching for new wholesale channels after years of work to make selling to schools mutually beneficial for farmers, schools and our communities.

I shared how frozen USDA projects – those with signed contracts, with obligated funding – like the Specialty Crop Block Grant and the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection (FLSP) program are hurting our operation. We’ve incurred ongoing expenses—vehicles, labor benefits—and yet, we’ve received no reimbursements, no answers and no timeline.

I shared how USDA programs like the Farm Service Agency’s down payment assistance program empowered me to buy land of my own as a first generation farmer, and how impacts of these program cancellations and freezes will not be evenly felt among farmers. First generation farmers, veteran farmers, beginning farmers, black and brown farmers, female farmers + socially disadvantaged farmers will be hit the hardest.

We took time off our farms to tell our elected officials that the tariff war is hurting farmers. USDA program cuts are hurting farmers. Mass federal layoffs are hurting farmers. Local Food program cuts are hurting farmers. The Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program cuts are hurting farmers. The Farm Bill not getting passed is hurting farmers.

Farmers care for the most essential asset our nation has: fertile land. And as climate instability and food insecurity escalate, protecting our soil, water, and the farmers who steward them to grow our food and fuel must be a top priority for the country. We need BETTER leadership and support from this administration and from the USDA.

When asked what farmers and advocates can do to help? The Senator said please SPEAK OUT. Call your representatives, make some noise, protest harmful policies. We are truly grateful for your support!

Want to support our farm and local food? Here’s how:

Our Peak Season begins this June and our Year Round subscriptions are still available! We’re accepting new members and would love to grow for you!

Leave us a 5 star google review! They truly help our business so much and encourage others to support local agriculture.