Henry County farmer Andre Faul is facing a major challenge after a federal grant supporting local food programs was canceled.
His farm, Faul Family Riverside Farm, had a contract with Oldham County Schools to supply chicken and pork for school lunches.
However, Faul and 130 other Kentucky farmers recently learned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cutting the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program as part of broader cost-cutting measures under President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency.
Faul had already paid for and raised 1,300 pounds of chicken that Oldham County had ordered.
Thankfully, he managed to raise private funds to cover his costs and plans to deliver the chicken next month, but he won’t make a profit.
In addition to the LFS program, Faul and other small farmers also benefited from the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, an $11 million initiative that helped buy local produce, meat, and dairy for food banks and underserved communities. However, that program will run out of money by August.
In January, the USDA announced that Kentucky would receive an additional $5.8 million in LFPA funding over the next three years.
But the USDA later informed state officials that the grant was being rescinded, according to Madison Pergrem, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). KDA manages both the LFS and LFPA programs.
Pergrem noted that the LFS program, which provided $3.2 million in funding, will be out of money by next month.
She expressed hope that future administrations will prioritize similar programs and said KDA will seek new opportunities to support local farmers.
A Boost for Small Farmers
The LFS and LFPA programs were created to strengthen local food production and expand markets for smaller farmers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in the national food supply chain.
Smaller growers struggled to meet demand when supply chains broke down. These programs allowed them to supply schools and food banks, creating reliable income streams.
Laurie White, Kentucky Farm to School Network Coordinator, called the programs “a game changer.”
The programs not only supported farmers but also boosted local economies. Schools and food banks became key customers for small farms, allowing them to grow and hire more help.
About 130 farmers and 92 school districts took part in the LFS program. Carlina Loyd, director of school nutrition for Oldham County Schools, said her district spent $92,000 since 2023 on local chicken, pork, turkey, beef, apples, and microgreens from four local farms, including Faul’s.
Loyd highlighted the nutritional benefits of local food, noting that it’s fresher and less processed than standard cafeteria options.
Faul received $50,000 through the program, which helped him cover expenses and maintain operations.
He had already planned for a second round of funding when he contracted with Oldham County Schools for the chicken order, only to have the funding pulled unexpectedly.
Brett Waford of Troubadour Farms in Henry County also benefited from the program. He supplied ground beef to all Henry County Public Schools, including the schools he attended as a student.
The increased demand allowed him to expand his farm. “It was the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced as a farmer,” Waford said.
Struggles After Grant Cuts
FoodChain, a nonprofit in Lexington, used about $300,000 in LFPA funding to buy Kentucky-grown products for free grocery boxes and feeding programs.
The funding also supported communities hit by flooding in Eastern Kentucky.
Kristin Hughes, FoodChain’s co-executive director, said the cuts are coming at a time of rising food insecurity. “We’re handing out 600 meals a night — more than during the pandemic,” she said.
FoodChain is now scrambling to secure alternative funding. Farmers who supplied FoodChain were able to diversify crops and improve infrastructure like refrigeration with LFPA support. Losing the funding puts that progress at risk.
Seedleaf, another Lexington nonprofit with urban gardens and farms, also relied on LFPA support. Seedleaf recently learned that four federal agriculture and small business grants they expected to receive have been frozen.
One grant was for reimbursement of farm equipment costs, but the money was pulled after Seedleaf had already made the purchases.
Christine Smith, Seedleaf’s director, said the loss is a major blow. “We’re a small nonprofit. We live close to the bone,” she said. Seedleaf is now trying to raise private funds to stay afloat.
The cuts to these programs highlight the financial vulnerability of small farms and local food networks.
Farmers and nonprofits are now scrambling to fill the gap left by the sudden loss of federal support.
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