SC: Upstate farmer says he's at a great loss after federal grant cut

A federal grant meant to fight climate change and support minority farmers has been canceled. One farmer in Laurens County tells WYFF News 4 that he is now left with thousands of dollars in losses and very little answers on what to do next.Farmer Henry Jones is trying to plow a clear path forward after a grant cut. The land his farm sits on was once a strawberry farm in disrepair. He says he saw beauty in the ruins and made investments but then came Hurricane Helene and now grant cuts.”These cutbacks, these tariffs and all of those things, they’re great for the country in some ways but it’s really hurting … hurting small farmers,” said Jones. Through Clemson University, Jones was a part of the Climate Smart Grant program. It is a program that also prioritizes minority owned and underserved farms. “Well, it was a 3-to-8-year commitment,” said Jones. “We had eight acres committed into the project.”According to Jones, he put in $16,000 and a lot of time into his part of the deal for the program. “We had an excavator come out here and clear all of these persimmon trees,” Jones said. “We cut the grass down, we plowed it all up. “He says on April 13, the current administration canceled the federal grant and listed a few reasons as to why it happened. “One was the administration said there was no such thing as climate change,” Jones said. “And then the other part, funding was not properly distributed to the farmers “Jones’ land has taken blow after blow. He says he is still staring at damage from Hurricane Helene.”We lost 10,000 plants. We lost everything we had.”Since the grant no longer stands, Jones has made a pivot by now using his greenhouses and working with local producers. Jones shares his thoughts on the thousands of dollars he has invested so far. “That money’s just gone with the wind.”South Carolina State Representative Seth Rose says many people impacted by federal funding cuts have reached out to the state leaders.”There is a massive scramble and there might not be something that can be done,” Rose said. “And that is the answer and that is deeply troubling and concerning.” Jones highlights the weight left behind from the grant cut is a lot to carry. Yet, each new day, Jones and his son’s hands are busy working on the hard land.”I have faith in the Lord and what we’re doing here,” Jones said, “And, I feel, He’s not going to let us fail.”Jones emphasizes he has learned how to be a farmer of structured service no matter the circumstance, a lesson this veteran picked up during his 23 years in service. “One thing they always taught us is to adapt, overcome.”WYFF News 4 reached out to Congressman William Timmons and to a White House liaison to find out if there are any resources available for farmers who are deeply impacted by the federal grant cuts. We are still waiting for their responses.