Hundreds of Kansas farms closed last year, and Trumps tariffs likely played a big role
Hundreds of Kansas farms closed last year, and Trump’s tariffs likely played a big role
By Steve Kraske,
Published March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM CST
Nick Levendofsky
Tariffs imposed in 2025 effected Kansas farmer’s imports and exports
Kansas farmers have faced significant challenges due to the Trump administration’s tariffs, which drove up equipment costs and caused crop prices to fall. The Kansas Farmer’s Union says the tariffs contributed to the closure of hundreds of farms and added stress to an already unpredictable industry.
The tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers (IEEP) Act caused significant disruptions in the Kansas farming market before they were ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court.
According to Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, soybean and grain sorghum farmers were hit hardest, with their value lowering as buyers turned to other nations for imports.
In addition to receiving lower returns, farmers also faced rising costs for equipment due to tariffs on aluminum and steel from Canada and Mexico. These unexpected expenses forced many farmers to take on more debt or risk losing their farms. Last year, 700 farms in Kansas closed according to a USDA study.
Farming is an inherently unpredictable profession, Levendofsky said, where returns are heavily influenced by factors beyond a farmer’s control. This uncertainty can weigh heavily on farmers, who may be reluctant to express the emotional toll.
“Farmers tend to be pretty resilient in a lot of cases. But eventually something’s going to break,” Levendofsky told KCUR’s Up to Date. “They are good at checking on their crops. They’re good at checking on their livestock. But they need to be better about checking in on each other.”
Levendofsky is hoping a current farm bill will repair some of the instability in the farming industry, but is not hopeful it will make it out of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmer’s Union
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
Ellen Beshuk is the 2025-2026 intern for Up To Date. Email her at ebeshuk@kcur.org