MAGA farm owners say they can’t find American workers anymore
American farmers—many of whom backed Trump in 2024—are facing a perfect storm: ICE’s aggressive deportation efforts and erratic tariff moves are wreaking havoc on their livelihoods, threatening rural communities with economic collapse.
Immigration enforcement has disrupted a crucial labor force. A June 21 Washington Post report detailed how Colorado farmer J.J. Ficke—a Trump voter—lost access to a $200,000 federal grant to hire seasonal farmhands from Latin America. That grant, alongside billions in agricultural funding, was frozen in January 2025. Over 140 farmers applied, seeking $4 million, but none received any funds. Wisconsin grower Tracy Vinz lamented, “I’ve employed Americans, and they quit after a few days. They quit after a few hours.” Georgia’s Mitch Lawson echoed that sentiment, observing American workers often don’t last a full day. The USDA estimates 42% of crop farmworkers are undocumented—highlighting how heavily farming relies on immigrant labor.
In Vermont, dairy farmers are paralyzed with fear after ICE raids. One farmer noted, “All the dairy farmers who voted for Trump were under the impression they weren’t going to come on farms and take our guys.” Vermont’s $3.6 billion dairy industry supplies 63% of New England’s milk, prompting the state’s agriculture secretary to ask, “Who’s going to milk the cows?” Trump acknowledged the strain on June 12 via Truth Social: “Our great Farmers… have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.” He promised “changes are coming,” and on June 20 posts on X suggested a farm-sponsored migrant worker program—though no policy changes have materialized.
On top of labor woes, Trump’s tariff blitz is compounding the crisis. On March 3 he announced 25% tariffs on agricultural imports from Canada and Mexico, to begin April 2, urging domestic production. But U.S. farm exports—worth $180 billion annually—are now threatened by retaliatory duties. In his first term, tariffs triggered a $23 billion bailout; current threats could demand even larger rescues. West Virginia’s Jennifer Gilkerson lamented to NBC News how USDA cutbacks left her unsold freeze-dried fruits. Iowa’s Bob Hemesath warned, “Once you lose those markets to other suppliers, it’s very hard to get them back.” Kansas consultant Ben Palen criticized farmers for trusting Trump blindly, noting tariffs push up costs for fertilizer, equipment, and fuel while critical programs like the 45Z tax credit hang in limbo.
North Carolina farmer Ethan Jordan still faces drought and flood losses, with $77,000 in pending USDA aid for 1,600 acres. Trump’s freeze affected the Environmental Quality Incentives and Rural Energy for America programs. Maryland flower farmer Laura Beth Resnick invested $73,000 in solar panels expecting reimbursement, only to face financial ruin. Although a judge blocked the freeze, funds remain stalled. Vegetable farmers Jacob and Jennifer Thomas took a 10% hit after $1 billion in school and food bank produce programs was slashed. California winemaker Bryan Zesiger described the cuts as “earth-shattering and life-changing.”
These combined pressures are shifting farmers’ allegiances. Wisconsin journalist John Nichols noted on MSNBC on May 23 that rural growers are in “real crisis” over trade uncertainty and tariffs. NPR’s Jim Moyer from Washington State warned damaged global trade ties—China’s potential switch to Brazil could bite—and merchandiser Byron Behne criticized Trump’s vague “have fun” messaging. The Atlantic reported on April 16 that American soybean producers in red states are losing ground; China’s retaliatory 125% tariffs risk diverting business permanently to Brazil, fueling environmental concerns about Amazon deforestation.
Farmers are proposing fixes: legal work pathways and targeted bailouts to match tariff losses. A Reddit user on June 21 wrote that farm laborers deserve documentation and living wages, estimating a $21/hour farm wage in Wisconsin would hike grocery prices by only 20% at most. Others are investing in automation—though high-tech pickers still can’t fully replace hands-on labor.
With midterms on the horizon, this economic strain could undercut Trump’s rural base. Ficke, suffering drought, costs, and Medicaid uncertainty, faces the choice of survival over politics. His wife Kassidee asked, “How would the couple, who had no health insurance, pay for their daughter’s care if the administration and Congress gutted Medicaid?” Meanwhile, Texas grower Travis Johnson told the Guardian on April 15, “No farmer wants this, but without a bailout, this could be devastating, and a lot more people could go under.”
Trump’s vague promise of “changes” offers little comfort. Farm communities that once trusted him now brace for impact. As these struggles intensify with no relief in sight, America’s food supply, rural economies, and political allegiances hang in the balance.
Note to our readers: This coverage draws on multiple reputable outlets—including The Washington Post, NBC News, NPR, The Atlantic, legal filings, and firsthand farmer statements—ensuring accuracy and transparency while preserving integrity for high-value engagement.
