How to share your story with your representatives

Share your specific story – how the current situation is impacting you, your family, your operation, your community.  

• Identify yourself: I am a [farmer/rancher/forest landowner] in [county, state]. I [explain your operation here.]. 

• Describe how your operation utilizes federal support: In 2023, I signed up for a [PROGRAM NAME]-funded project through the US Department of Agriculture to help me [plant cover crops, etc.].  

• Describe the impact of the pause: I covered the upfront costs of installing the practice, which cost me [$X thousand], with the understanding that I would be reimbursed. I expected that I would be repaid in [January], but I haven’t received any reimbursement. If I don’t get reimbursed soon, [describe the economic or other impacts, e.g., I may have to take out a loan to help cover the costs.]  

• Make your request: My understanding is that the president’s executive orders were not supposed to impact payments to individuals, like project payments to farmers. Please help make sure that USDA honors its commitments as soon as possible, just as we have always honored ours.