1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's decision to dismantle USAID and freeze foreign aid spending is directly threatening the livelihoods of American farmers, including those in Kansas. The agency purchases over $2 billion worth of food aid annually from U.S. farms, with wheat alone accounting for over $200 million. However, purchases worth over $340 million have already been paused due to the funding freeze, leaving hundreds of tons of American-grown wheat stranded. Nick Levendofsky of the Kansas Farmers Union warned that this move adds further uncertainty for farmers already grappling with rising costs and low commodity prices. At a time when the agricultural sector faces significant challenges, disrupting a crucial market for American farm goods is counterproductive and detrimental to rural communities. A prolonged pause or permanent cuts to USAID's food aid programs could devastate a vital source of revenue for Kansas wheat growers and other farmers across the nation. Rather than dismantling USAID, which reinvests billions into the U.S. economy through American businesses and organizations, we urge you to support continuing these essential food aid initiatives. They serve the dual purpose of addressing global hunger while providing a stable market for U.S. agricultural exports - a win-win for American farmers and humanitarian efforts abroad. Preserving USAID's role is critical to sustaining a vibrant domestic farm economy.