AHEC faces funding crisis as USDA freezes export promotion grants

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is confronting a major funding shortfall after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) froze all 2025 allocations for export promotion programs, industry representatives said on Tuesday. The funding delay stems from a review by the Biden administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), part of "Agenda 2025," a broader effort to reassess federal spending. Industry leaders warn the suspension could jeopardize key promotional events, including trade shows in China, India, and Europe. Industry fallout AHEC has already postponed the American Hardwood Convention in China and canceled its participation in ...