A Farmer's Battle To Preserve His Land Against Nature And Economic Hardships

In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the termination of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program, crucial for farmers like David Haughton. This program, initiated in 2021 under former President Joe Biden, was designed to aid farmers by providing funds for selling produce to food banks and organizations like The Campaign Against Hunger and GrowNYC. Haughton lamented the cutback, revealing that he faced a significant loss of 60% of his market. The cancellation of LFPA severely impacted his financial stability. As a small Black farmer, securing loans was a challenge, but the Black Farmer Fund (BFF) offered essential support, aiding Haughton with grants that preserved his farm. Unfortunately, a fire in August 2025 further devastated his life, leading to a GoFundMe appeal for recovery. Despite obstacles, Haughton remains passionate about farming, emphasizing the vital role of farmers in society.