Farmers Left Waiting for $400 Million in Promised Drought Aid

The USDA under the Trump administration has yet to distribute the funds, leaving irrigation districts across the West in limbo.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Nearly two years ago, the Biden administration announced a $400 million program to help farmers in drought-stricken areas of the western U.S. upgrade their aging irrigation infrastructure. Eighteen irrigation districts, three tribal communities, and two state associations of conservation districts were selected to receive grants of up to $15 million each. However, the funds have yet to be distributed, with the USDA under the Trump administration offering little explanation or communication to the intended recipients.

Why it matters

The lack of drought aid is exacerbating an already dire situation for farmers in the western U.S., where severe drought conditions have forced them to dramatically reduce the amount of land they are able to irrigate. Without the promised funds to upgrade their aging infrastructure, these farmers are struggling to maximize every drop of scarce water resources.

The details

In late 2024, the USDA under the Biden administration finalized agreements with the selected recipients and notified Congress of how they intended to use the $400 million in Commodity Credit Corporation funds. The money was supposed to start flowing last year as part of a five-year payment plan. However, when the Trump administration took over, the funds were frozen, grant programs were culled, and an unprecedented number of federal staffers were forced out. While many USDA operations have since resumed, the $400 million promised to the irrigation districts, associations, and tribes remains unaccounted for, and the grant recipients have received no indication of whether the program will start or the money will be paid out.

  • In late 2024, the USDA under the Biden administration finalized agreements with the selected recipients.
  • In early 2025, the Trump administration took over and froze the $400 million in funds.
  • Over a year later, the grant recipients have still not received any communication or indication of whether the program will move forward.

The players

Ron McEachern

Former general manager of the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, which serves the Eloy area.

Gloria Montaño Greene

Served as Deputy Under Secretary for USDA's Farm Production and Conservation during the Biden administration.

Dan Crabtree

Superintendent of Palisade Irrigation District, based in Colorado, one of the 18 irrigation districts selected to receive funding.

Randall Winston

General manager of Hidalgo & Cameron Counties Irrigation District 9, in Texas, another of the USDA's selected recipients.

Amanda Starbuck

Research director at Food & Water Watch.

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What they’re saying

“We had the signed agreements...Everything was done, vetted, and reviewed.”

— Gloria Montaño Greene, Former Deputy Under Secretary for USDA's Farm Production and Conservation (Grist)

“I really wasn't allowed to communicate with [farmers] directly. Like, I couldn't tell them 'Your grant is frozen.' It was just: 'Tell them it's under administrative review.'”

— Former USDA staffer (Grist)

“Every drop of water, we're trying to maximize that and save as much as we can. We are concerned because we need to know the direction to take...We're not mad at USDA, we just need to find out where we're at with this.”

— Randall Winston, General manager of Hidalgo & Cameron Counties Irrigation District 9 (Grist)

What’s next

The former USDA officials familiar with the program believe the $400 million in funds are still available, but the lack of staffing at the agency has prevented the money from being distributed to the intended recipients. It remains unclear if the incoming Biden administration will honor the agreements made under the previous administration and release the drought aid funds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges farmers in the western U.S. are facing due to severe drought conditions, and the frustration they feel over the federal government's failure to follow through on promised aid to help them upgrade their aging irrigation infrastructure and maximize their limited water resources.