Farmers involved in the HOPE For Small Farm Sustainability project wait patiently for federal funds

HARLINGEN, Texas – There was plenty of excitement in Harlingen last May when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $7.4 million grant for HOPE For Small Farm Sustainability. The nonprofit organization, run by farmers Diana and Saul Garcia Padilla, was planning to use the money to acquire agricultural land and assist small farming operations around Texas.

But now, everything appears to have ground to halt and HOPE does not know if it will receive the money. Diana Garcia Padilla says when the Trump Administration came in, a pause was placed on the release of funds. Of the $7.4 million, she says she has only received $300,000. Padilla said she has traveled to Washington, D.C., to look for answers but to no avail.

Here is an interview we secured recently with Diana Garcia Padilla:

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