SKYLINE, Mo. — When Skylar Holden signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation program, he believed it was a step toward securing the future of his cattle farm. But after spending $80,000 on infrastructure improvements, he was blindsided by a federal funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration—one that has now put his livelihood in jeopardy. Holden, a first-generation farmer and father of three, had counted on the $240,000 he was awarded under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). With that money now indefinitely on hold, he fears his farm could be lost.
The freeze, part of a broader federal review of spending, comes as the administration implements new budget priorities aligned with conservative policy recommendations from Project 2025, which calls for shrinking federal oversight in agriculture. The policy framework, laid out in Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise, urges the USDA to shift away from conservation initiatives and prioritize deregulation and free-market efficiency. While Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 during his campaign, its principles have shaped key early decisions, including the suspension of funding that many farmers had already planned their budgets around.
Holden, who supported Trump in the 2024 election, has since taken to social media to express his frustration. His TikTok video detailing his predicament quickly went viral, though it was met with little sympathy. Critics on both sides of the political spectrum pointed out that Trump had promised to disrupt government spending, with some telling Holden he was experiencing the direct consequences of his vote. Others mocked his admission that he had relied on an online quiz rather than policy research when making his decision.
Some lawmakers have acknowledged the turmoil the freeze is causing in rural communities. Representative Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, noted that the disruptions were expected. “This administration promised they would be disruptive,” Smith said, while also emphasizing that many farmers are struggling to navigate the funding suspension. Meanwhile, other rural voices, like Missouri farmer and political consultant Will Westmoreland, argue that many agricultural voters were misled by partisan media and failed to grasp the full implications of Trump’s policy agenda.
Holden, despite his frustrations, remains disillusioned with both political parties. While he criticizes Democrats for advocating stricter regulations, such as electronic ID tags for cattle, he now questions whether Republican policies truly serve farmers’ interests. “Seventeen-hour workdays don’t leave a lot of time for political research,” he said, defending his decision to vote based on convenience rather than deep policy analysis. With his future uncertain, Holden can only hope the federal review does not permanently derail the support he relied on to keep his farm running.
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