Food Connection: Organic farmers facing uncertainty after funding cuts

HALSTAD, MINN. (KVRR) – Local organic farmers and distributors are facing new pressures as tariffs and funding cuts have led to growing uncertainty.

Hugh’s Gardens, LLC in Halstad, Minnesota has been washing, storing, and marketing organic potatoes from Red River Valley farmers since the late 80’s.

They work with many distributors, as well as food banks and public school systems to provide local produce, but with recent funding cuts and freezes at USDA, it’s become harder to guarantee sales.

They say the uncertainty in the market has led to some of their farmers cutting back on this year’s crop.

“We are scaling back a little bit this year. There’s other factors that go into play and what not too, but when you have that uncertainty you don’t want to end up with a lot of food waste or a lot of potatoes, or whatever product you have on your hands at the end of the year.” Hugh’s Gardens owner Bjorn Solberg said.

The Minnesota Legislature is providing funding to help with the Local Food Assistance Program, and Solberg says you can always support local growers at farmer’s markets around the region.