Feature on CBS Evening News

Screen capture featuring Liz Graznak from interview with CBS News

This is a summary of a news segment that aired on June 30, 2025. Watch the original news segment here.

Our Interview with CBS News

We're proud to share that Happy Hollow Farm and our owner Liz Graznak were recently featured in a CBS News story highlighting the impact of recent USDA grant program cuts on small farms and food security.
The story focuses on two pandemic-era federal programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers. However, in March, the USDA abruptly canceled the programs, calling the decision a "return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives."

For Happy Hollow Farm, these grant programs were transformative. Liz shared with CBS News that "A quarter of my annual sales were going to those programs, and when they said that that money is gone, I thought, 'Oh my god, well now what do I do?'" The farm had expanded operations to meet the increased demand, renting an extra 16 acres to harvest more onions, garlic and peppers to support local food security initiatives.

Graznak described the program cuts as "devastating," noting her concern for the families who depend on this food access: "I don't know those families, but I know those families are desperate for the food that they were getting."

The CBS News story underscores the broader impact of these cuts, with more than 8,000 small farmers nationwide having been supported by these programs. The piece highlights how local farms like ours play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity, particularly in Missouri where food insecurity rates are above the national average at 15%.

While we're disappointed by the program cuts, we remain committed to supporting our local community's food security and continuing to grow healthy, fresh produce for our neighbors. We're grateful to CBS News for bringing attention to this important issue affecting small farms and food access across the country.

Watch the original news segment "Food aid groups bought from local farmers with USDA grants. Abrupt cuts leave both struggling." in its entirety on CBS News' website.