Whatever their intent, many of Trump’s erratic actions are bound to have a disastrous effect on American farmers. During his first term, farmers lost $26 billion in sales when he started a trade war with China. This time around, simultaneous trade wars with Canada and Mexico and Europe and China will cost American farmers much, much more.

While overseas markets shrink, the federal government is also backing out of its own contracts with farmers. Commitments to buy food to provide famine relief overseas have been canceled, and programs that support small-scale family farms like the ones we have in our area have been frozen. A Beginner Farmer Program that trains the next generation of farmers is on the chopping block, supposedly because it promotes “diversity.” Another program that provides schools with locally grown fresh produce has also been halted. The Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension estimates that these cuts alone will cost the county $1.5 million.

While markets at home and abroad disappear, farmers will have to spend more just to stay in business. Potash is a major ingredient in commercial fertilizer, and almost all of it is imported from Canada. Trump just jacked its price by imposing a 10% tariff.

As if all this is not enough, the Trump Administration seems determined to deprive farmers of the ability to plan for success. Climate data has been scrubbed from government websites and deep cuts at the National Weather Service are likely to provide less reliable information going forward.

Our farmers deserve better than this. 

Bruce Ferguson
Callicoon Center, NY