Small business owners like you are a part of the American economy’s interdependent web. Even if you don’t directly provide services to federal scientists, benefit from their research or use federal funding, there’s a good chance that a customer or someone in your supply chain does.
Public servants working for you
Tara McHugh, Department of Agriculture
Partnered with small food startups to develop creative, innovative ways of turning surplus produce and grains that would have otherwise been wasted into shelf-stable, market-ready foods. Her work helped reduce America’s 100 billion pounds of annual food waste while expanding access to nutritious foods in communities with limited fresh options. By working with her lab, entrepreneurs gained access to advanced agricultural research and technology they otherwise could not afford, leading to the creation of 10 new companies.
Science agency research and development contracts for emerging and disadvantaged small businesses dropped from $2.38 million in 2024 to $0 in 2025.
Two innovation and technology “seed funds” that provide about $4 billion a year to small businesses commercializing new technologies lapsed for six months, forcing grantees to cancel clinical trials and lay off staff during the funding gap.
C&ENUSDA froze and then canceled the Regional Food Business Center program—designed to provide grants and technical assistance to local food entrepreneurs—with only a small number of intended businesses being helped.
WOUB