In April 2025, The Capital Market, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Soil Conservation District, hosted a Farmer and Food Producer Roundtable to hear directly from those working the land about the real-world impacts of shifting federal and state funding. The event brought together 40 participants representing more than 20 farms and food organizations across the County, including urban growers, suburban farmers, and rural producers—many of them first-generation farmers, women producers, and long-standing stewards of the County’s agricultural legacy.
The Message Was Clear:
Participants shared powerful testimonies about stalled infrastructure projects, disappearing farm labor support, sudden funding freezes, and complex regulatory hurdles—all threatening the future of local food systems. At a moment when investment is needed most, cuts and freezes are putting pressure on an already vulnerable sector.
Impact at a Glance — April 2025 Roundtable
- 40 participants attended
- 20+ farms and food organizations represented
- $150,000+ in canceled infrastructure projects
- $3,500 average out-of-pocket cost for incomplete high tunnel builds
- $20,000 in unreimbursed stormwater design and labor costs
- $100,000+ in program funding frozen across local food organizations
- $250,000 in estimated seasonal losses tied to the disappearance of 10 farm workers
- 4+ years since some farmers were last engaged by state-level agriculture advisory councils
These figures reflect more than just lost dollars—they represent missed opportunities for growth, gaps in community food access, and the erosion of a key economic driver in Prince George’s County.
The Capital Market remains committed to uplifting these stories, advocating for solutions, and building strategies that protect and grow the County’s agricultural sector.
📄 Read the full roundtable report here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/163z0ibDdthaXdkYBBwX931xiHGCxaG-9ORWriioeMzw/edit?usp=sharing
