Take action, share your story, & stay involved!
We’ll be honest—this month’s newsletter is longer than usual, but for good reason. There’s a lot happening in the food and farming world, and we’re committed to keeping you informed and engaged.
Along with the first transplants and bulb blossoms, this spring brings an unprecedented level of uncertainty. In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has withheld payments owed under signed, lawful contracts, sending shockwaves through the food system.
This reckless freeze on federal funds has left farmers and food organizations facing serious challenges. We've spoken with farmers whose conservation contracts were abruptly canceled, leaving them with thousands in unreimbursed costs.
Essential programs like Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA ) have been cut, jeopardizing farmer livelihoods and disrupting food access for children and families in need. Meanwhile, many of our partner organizations providing critical technical support have been forced to pause programs or furlough staff.
Now is the time to take action. Calling your representatives takes just 60 seconds—can we count on you to call and email your members of Congress, urging them to step up and protect our farmers and communities from further harm?
We'll also be adding resources, funding opportunities, organizations, and other helpful information to our Resources page as the situation develops.
Let’s stay connected, support each other, and advocate for a stronger food system.
In solidarity,
The PIFF Team
Call for Stories: Join the Conversation
Have you been impacted by the USDA federal funding freeze? We want to hear from you!
PIFF is joining the growing number of organizations who are collecting stories and documenting the real-world effects of the funding freeze as a first step towards amplifying our voices and pushing for the resources our communities deserve.
How can these stories make an impact? Lots of ways! Attracting news coverage, educating the broader public, and presenting directly to legislators to name a few. For one example, check out this powerful farmer testimony given at a recent IL House Ag Committee Hearing and the news that followed.
Please send your stories — written or recorded — to news@indianafarming.org stating you do or don't consent to PIFF sharing this publicly. Please also note if you'd like your story to be anonymized if shared.
If acute mental health concerns arise for yourself, a family member, or partner you are interacting with, please use our mental health resources for support or suggest them to others.
Introducing the Farmer Focus Series
More than Corn has launched the Farmer Focus series to introduce and share the stories of Hoosier farmers. Dig into how they got started, what they grow, and even get some reading recommendations. Read the first feature on Megan Ayers of Unvarnished Farms. Follow @morethancornindiana or @piffindiana on Instagram to catch the next feature!
Upcoming PIFF Events
What kinds of topics or events do YOU want to see? Share your ideas with us!
Are you interested in partnering with PIFF on an event or hosting a Field Day on your farm? Reach out to eavy@indianafarming.org.
Low/No Till Farming Field Day
March 23, 10 - 2pm EST at Unvarnished Farm (1839 N. State Road 3, Deputy, IN)
Curious about low or no-till on your small farm? Join our hands-on field day to learn practical strategies for no and low-till bed prep, soil health, and weed management for diversified fruit and veggie farms. Stick around after for a casual Farmer Social post event! Register online.
Southern, IN Farmer Social
March 23, 2 - 4pm EST at Unvarnished Farm (1839 N. State Road 3, Deputy, IN)
Join us to gather and connect with fellow farmers before the season really ramps up! Bringing a snack or drink to share is encouraged but not required. Feel free to bring seeds to swap, instruments, games, or other things to share. Register online.
Succession Planning Workshops
April 8 at Shirley Heinze Land Trust (Valparaiso, IN )
What’s the future of your farm? Planning for farm succession can feel overwhelming—especially if there’s no clear family successor. Join us for this workshop exploring pathways to transition land, with a focus on non-family transfers and creative succession strategies. Hear directly from local orgs and Indiana farmers who've navigated this process! Learn more & register online.
Living Farm Series: Season Extension & Conservation
July 2025 - April 2026
Urban Soil Health in partnership with several organizations including PIFF, is hosting this series that covers how to bring conservation and season extension practices to your farm, in-person throughout Indiana! Sign up for updates and registration information.
Events & Funding Opportunities for the Food & Farming Community
For a more detailed list, visit our Events and Resources pages.
Want to add your event to the next PIFF Newsletter? Reach out to Porchea (porchea@indianafarming.org) or Eavy (eavy@indianafarming.org).
IN-Grown and IN-Made: Strategies for Scaling Up
March 25
This webinar is a great opportunity for IN vendors currently or interested in selling to What Chefs Want to to learn about wholesale and evaluate if that path is right for their farm. Hosted by What Chefs Want’s Local Food Connection team. Register online.
Farmers Market Certificate Series
April 1 - 22, 6:30 ET
Purdue is hosting a virtual 4 part series for farmers market vendors and managers that covers many aspects of a successful farmers market. Register online!
Free Produce Safety Alliance Trainings
April 9, 9am - 5pm • Versailles Community Center (+ other locations and dates)
This PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement. Note: Not many farmers accept the eFMNP programs (WIC and Senior market bucks) which is leaving a lot of potential money on the table- this opportunity opens that door! Learn more & register by March 29th!
Treating Farming as Business, not as a Hobby
April 1
Dig into what makes small scale farming viable and profitable. Hosted by Food Animal Concerns Trust. Learn more.
MSU Extension Grant Writing Course (Self-guided)
MSU launched a no-cost, self-guided grant writing course for food and farm businesses. Sign up!
Emergency & Non-Federal Funding Options
SHOT Fund Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Bridge Loan Program: These bridge loans aim to fill gaps in conservation funding. They have no fees, penalties, or interest. (Note: Indiana is one of their priority states)
The Regenerative Farmer Assurance Fund (RFAF) is offering Emergency Funding to provide financial relief to organic and regenerative farmers facing delays in public funding.
Sky High Farm Grant Cycle: These micro-grants support projects led by farmers and food justice advocates whose initiatives are rooted in their communities and aligned with our shared values. Applications reviewed through 2025.
Organizations to Know
Here are a few nonprofit organizations who are stepping up during this critical time to mobilize support for farmers and call attention to the funding freeze:
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC): This organization is actively advocating for farmers under the current circumstances and gathering stories to push for unhindered access to USDA resources.
Farm Aid: Known for supporting family farmers, Farm Aid is raising awareness about the implications of the funding freeze and urging farmers to reach out for assistance.
National Young Farmers Coalition: NYFC has a long history of amplifying farmer voices and effectively advocating for impactful policy change. Read their piece on the next steps for those impacted by the federal funding freeze.
Policy Tracking Resources
Summary of EOs from Land and Liberation: Executive Orders Impacting Federal Funding
Know Your Rights
Get Involved
Looking to play a role in local food and farming? Join us! You can volunteer, talk about serving on the PIFF board, or find other ways to support this growing community.
