Pappas Urges Rollback of Acer Grant Freeze, Raises Alarm over Negative Impact of Trump Administration on NH Maple Industry

This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Maple Caucus, called on Secretary Rollins and the Department of Agriculture to reinstate grants delivered by the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). 

Acer provides essential support to the maple syrup industry in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, and freezing these grants as the administration places tariffs on Canada, one of the U.S.’s closest allies, is putting the livelihoods of maple producers at risk. Much of the equipment used to produce syrup and other maple products is manufactured in Canada, and tariffs will raise prices in an unsustainable manner for New Hampshire’s maple producers. 

In the letter, Congressman Pappas wrote, “Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry.”

He continued to say, “Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position… I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees.”

Congressman Pappas is a small business owner and a former member of the House Small Business Committee.

Read the full text of the letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Rollins,

I write to express my concern about the freeze of the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and its impact on the maple syrup industry. Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry. 

The maple syrup industry is a large part of the Northeast and Upper Midwest agriculture landscape. As producers work tirelessly to achieve high yields this season, it is crucial that they have access to the Acer funds they were promised. Through supporting research and education in the industry, the sustainability of maple syrup production, the marketing of maple-sap products, and the expansion of maple-sugaring activities for the public, Acer provides important resources for strengthening the domestic maple syrup industry. 

In 2024, the United States produced 5.86 million gallons of maple syrup, a 17% increase from 2023 production. Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position. Further, the typical maple sugaring season runs from January through early April, making it a priority to restore funds to farmers immediately. 

I am seeking guidance on the Department of Agriculture’s plans to restore duly allocated Acer funds to grantees and request clear guidelines to grantees so that they can continue working during the height of the maple producing season. I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees. 

Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Chris Pappas

Member of Congress

###