Across the United States, farmers are working to keep a vital part of our country strong. They grow our food, sustain rural communities, and carry forward a way of life that generations have depended on.

But for many farmers, especially those just starting out, the path is getting harder.

Farmland prices are rising. Access to capital is limited. And as older farmers retire, fewer new farmers are able to take their place. Without meaningful support, the future of American agriculture becomes more uncertain with each passing year.

That is why the decision to cancel a $300 million USDA program designed to help farmers access land, capital, and markets raises serious concerns.

This program supported roughly 50 projects across the country, helping farmers overcome real barriers to entering and staying in agriculture. It was an investment not just in individual farmers, but in the long-term strength of our food system and rural economies.

The USDA cited concerns about how the program was structured, including its approach to expanding access and opportunity. But the outcome is clear: fewer pathways for farmers trying to build or sustain their livelihoods.

When opportunities disappear, small and beginning farmers are often the first to feel it. And when fewer farmers can get started or stay in business, the effects ripple outward, impacting food prices, local economies, and the resilience of our national food supply.

This is not about politics. It is about whether we are making it easier or harder for farmers to succeed.

We call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and members of Congress to restore funding for programs that expand access to land, capital, and markets, and to ensure that farmers across the country have a fair chance to grow and succeed.

If we lose a generation of farmers, we cannot easily replace them.

Sign this petition to protect opportunity in agriculture, support the next generation of farmers, and secure a stronger future for America’s food system.