April 1, 2025 | Mongabay |
Agroforestry has been steadily gaining ground over the past eight years in the U.S., with the number of projects increasing 6% nationwide according to a new study. A federal funding freeze imposed on Jan. 27 put many agroforestry projects on hold pending a 90-day review, halting reimbursements and issuing stop-work orders. The freeze affects farmers and nonprofits, notably Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), which lost access to $1.25 million in grants. This interruption threatens income streams and community food programs, undermining progress in climate-smart agriculture. The uncertainty surrounding the reinstatement of funds leaves many agroforestry projects in limbo, jeopardizing efforts to enhance sustainable food systems and rural economies.
