Press Releases

Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree will attend President Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, with Maine farmer Seth Kroeck, one of countless American farmers hit hard by the Trump Administration’s illegal federal funding freeze at the Department of Agriculture. Pingree and her office have been working to help affected Mainers like Seth, who manages Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick, in the wake of the unprecedented challenges caused by the President . 

“Since Day One, the Trump Administration’s recklessness and chaos have caused an unbelievable amount of fear, confusion, and hardship for the American people. His blatant abuse of power—threatening to withhold federal funding from Maine, purging dedicated public servants, and illegally freezing critical federal funding—has actively harmed families, businesses, and communities across the country,” said Pingree. “As the President addresses Congress and the nation, I urge him to reverse these harmful policies and uphold our nation’s values. I’m honored to have Seth Kroeck as my guest for the State of the Union. Like so many hardworking Mainers, Seth has been directly impacted by the President’s illegal funding freeze—which has left farmers without the resources they need to not only keep their businesses running, but to keep our communities fed. Withholding funds continues to have significant impacts on producers and rural communities. Seth’s story is a stark reminder that this Administration’s policies aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they have real consequences for real people, real families, and real livelihoods.”

“I am honored to join Congresswoman Pingree as her guest at this year’s State of the Union address. As a working Maine farmer, I have always been able reach out to her office and find support in navigating the issues that challenge Maine agriculture. Chellie has been a tireless partner in securing vital programs that help farms confront a changing climate, improve soils and maintain their essential role producing food and community throughout the state,” said Kroeck. “Under the current Trump administration, our farm is facing a freeze of almost $90,000 in USDA/NRCS contracts. As spring and the beginning of the farm season approaches, budgets have been set, seed and fertilizer ordered, labor hired and machinery readied. These contracts were signed last year and are integral to the success of this season and many seasons beyond. Like countless other Maine farms, this funding makes possible improvements to operations and soils that have long-term impacts on our business and ultimately our ability to grow healthy and affordable food for the people of Maine. Attending the State of the Union this year, I represent the face of all farmers affected by the heavy-handed policies of President Trump and his appointees.

Kroeck received two grants for $90,000 worth of conservation enhancements for his wild blueberries and vegetable fields. These grants were funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provided historic resources to support climate-smart agriculture through USDA conservation programs. These programs have been oversubscribed by farmers for years. In recent years, three out of four farmers were turned away from the programs due to lack of funding. There was also record demand across the country for the IRA climate-smart funding. In 2023, $850 million of the IRA funds became available, and farmer applications totaled to nearly $3 billion. Kroeck already spent $6,000 to begin the projects.

Pingree is a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee. Last month, Pingree joined House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee Ranking Member Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.) in demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the Trump Administration’s illegal federal funding freeze.

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