Agriculture

Maine farmers, food banks and rural economies could be harmed by a 20-30% cut to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP under a bill being considered by Congress.

Red Fire Farm in Granby and Montague, Massachusetts, is among the small farms suing the Trump administration for unlawfully withholding grant funds for agricultural conservation, renewable energy projects for rural communities and farmers, forestry restoration and fuel reduction.

The proposal has gathered the support of a broad coalition of farmers and academics, who say drones could make their jobs cheaper and more environmentally-friendly.

Eliminating the CT Grown for CT Kids program would save the state $1 million a year, the governor’s office says.

Those who have signed agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture are nervously awaiting word on whether they will get their promised funds, or be on the hook for thousands of dollars of projects that are already well underway.

Salvation Farms is among the 37 nonprofits, schools, health centers and municipalities — plus the Passamaquoddy Tribe — awarded $24 million in federal funds by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) last month.

In Vermont, many dairy farmers don’t seem immediately concerned about losing their workforce. But farmworker organizers say they’re worried about increased immigration enforcement worsening poor conditions on farms.

The Health Incentives Program (HIP) now only offers $20 per family, compared to $40-to-$80 previously. Farmers and advocates say, without restored funding, they will have to reduce winter market options.

A spending bill passed by Congress late last year provides $220 million to eight states including all of New England. And the survey will help to determine just how much Massachusetts will see.

The same committee examined whether farmworkers should have collective bargaining rights — but ultimately didn’t make a recommendation to the Vermont Legislature.