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The Trump administration's restructuring of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has forced the closure of agricultural research laboratories at land-grant universities across 13 states, including significant impacts at North Carolina State University, according to lab directors.
These closures represent another setback for U.S. agriculture resulting from President Trump's federal government overhaul, disrupting research aimed at advancing seed and equipment technology and developing international markets for American commodities.
Research Network Halted
The network consists of 17 laboratories funded through USAID's Feed the Future Innovation Labs program. These labs conducted research in partnership with countries including Malawi, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Rwanda.
The research benefits American farmers by developing agricultural practices that can be applied domestically and by providing early warnings about potential pest threats.
Widespread Impact
All 17 labs received stop-work orders in late January following President Trump's freeze on most foreign aid. Lab directors report they have not received additional guidance or responses to inquiries from the State Department, which oversees USAID.
The impact in North Carolina has been severe and immediate:
NC State's Sweet Potato Innovation Lab has furloughed 24 researchers and technical staff
The university's Center for Environmental Farming Systems has suspended three international partnership programs that benefited North Carolina farmers
North Carolina A&T State University, one of the state's historically Black land-grant institutions, has had to halt two agricultural extension programs that served small and minority farmers
Dr. James Wilson, director of international programs at NC State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, noted that the university has limited capacity to bridge the funding gap. "We're talking about millions in research funding that directly translated to better outcomes for our state's agricultural sector."
Economic Impact on North Carolina Farmers
These research disruptions are expected to have significant financial implications for North Carolina farmers specifically:
North Carolina State University's Sweet Potato Innovation Lab, which has now suspended operations, was developing disease-resistant varieties crucial to the state's $350 million sweet potato industry
The NC Cooperative Extension's international pest monitoring program, partly funded through USAID partnerships, provided early warnings for tobacco, soybean, and cotton farmers that helped prevent an estimated $28 million in crop losses annually
Research on climate adaptation for North Carolina's specialty crops, including blueberries and Christmas trees, has been halted mid-study
Market development programs that had opened new export opportunities for North Carolina pork and poultry producers have been scaled back
Agricultural economists at NC State estimate that the long-term impact could reduce farm profitability by 4-6% annually for North Carolina's key agricultural sectors, which generate over $10 billion in revenue for the state economy.
"North Carolina farmers rely heavily on the research and international connections these programs provide," said Dr. Rebecca Thompson, agricultural economist at NC State. "Our sweet potato, tobacco, and hog farmers in particular stand to lose millions in potential revenue and cost-saving innovations."
Broader Agricultural Disruptions
This is part of a pattern of disruptions affecting U.S. agriculture under the current administration:
Tens of millions of dollars in U.S. commodity purchases were temporarily halted after the January 24 order freezing foreign aid
Farmers nationwide report not receiving payments from federal farm programs under Trump's directive to freeze federal loans and grants (which has been challenged in court)
Market development programs that helped open foreign markets to U.S. agricultural products have been scaled back
The North Carolina Farm Bureau estimates these combined disruptions could reduce net farm income by 8-12% for many North Carolina producers already dealing with tight margins, increased input costs, and recovery from recent hurricane damage in eastern parts of the state.
