Local grant recipients say the funds are particularly critical now because of federal cuts to Maine programs.
USDA
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
At Lewiston Farmers’ Market, federal budget cuts raise fears, uncertainty
Congress has passed deep cuts to food assistance and other programs that support farmers, adding uncertainty to an already uncertain industry.
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Posted inNews
The USDA wouldn’t let her give up her house and crushed her with debt
The USDA failed to follow its own guidance for a rural mortgage program, taking years to foreclose on delinquent loans. As a result, 55 Maine borrowers racked up, on average, $110,000 in additional debt before the agency moved to take the homes.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine housing advocates warn of coming ‘tsunami’ of USDA foreclosures on rural homes
The Department of Agriculture says it’s clearing a backlog of 400 foreclosures and more than 800 delinquencies left by the Biden administration. But local housing advocates say the crisis was years in the making and that the USDA has always been slow to act when its borrowers default.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Maine settles lawsuit against USDA over $3 million in school funds
The Department of Agriculture agreed it will not interfere with Maine school funding based on alleged Title IX violations without following the proper procedure, according to a settlement announced Friday.
Posted inMaine, News
USDA funding uncertainty puts Maine farmers in a bind
As vital federal grants and project money continues to be frozen, farmers are being forced to make hard decisions.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, News, Politics
Judge temporarily blocks USDA from interfering with Maine’s funding
The USDA ‘must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding that they have frozen or failed or refused to pay because of the state of Maine’s alleged failure to comply with the requirements of Title IX,’ the judge ruled.
Posted inMaine, Schools & Education
Maine’s lawsuit against the USDA is over $3 million for feeding assistance costs
U.S. District Judge John Woodcock is weighing whether to block the Department of Agriculture from withholding the funds to Maine over alleged Title IX violations, or if the case should be referred to the Federal Claims Court.
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, News, Schools & Education
Cuts to federal food program put local farms, schools in a bind
The Trump administration is ending a program that helped districts and producers bring local food to Maine students.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Schools & Education
USDA freezes funds to Maine education, citing Title IX violations
The agency will freeze an unknown amount of money for ‘administrative and technological functions’ in schools but will not pause federal food programs or direct assistance for Mainers.