By Andi Anderson
Faculty from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign testified before the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee about the impacts of USDA funding freezes, tariffs, and Farm Bill delays on Illinois agriculture.
The Importance of USDA Support
Shelly Nickols-Richardson, associate dean and director of Illinois Extension, highlighted that 43% of Illinois Extension’s budget relies on USDA support, with funding from Smith-Lever (19%) and SNAP-Ed (23%). She warned that funding cuts would shift financial burdens to local resources, disrupting programs across Illinois’ 102 counties.
Programs at Risk
Nickols-Richardson stressed that USDA funds directly support:
- Farmdoc and conservation efforts
- 4-H youth programs and Annie’s Project for women in agriculture
- Urban and rural farming initiatives
- Pesticide safety and farm mental health programs
- School nutrition training and IL-EATS programs
“These programs equip farmers, families, and communities with essential knowledge and practical solutions,” she said.
Economic Impact of USDA Funding
A recent economic analysis revealed that Illinois Extension delivers a 10-to-1 return on investment. Cuts to USDA funding would lead to major economic losses across the state.
Nickols-Richardson urged legislators to maintain Farm Bill Titles IV (nutrition) and VII (research and extension) to ensure education, innovation, and economic resilience for Illinois communities.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy