When USDA Cuts Staff, Farmers Pay the Price: Lessons from the ERS and NIFA Relocations
In a move reminiscent of past disruptions but at a much larger scale, the Trump administration is implementing widespread staffing cuts across federal agencies. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is facing a significant reduction, expecting approximately 30,000 USDA positions to be eliminated. About 16,000 employees have already accepted deferred resignation offers. This downsizing – particularly when coupled with office closures and relocations – threatens to undermine USDA’s capacity to serve America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Farmers already face long wait times at local USDA offices, often going months without knowing if their loans are approved or waiting for reimbursement for conservation expenses. Staffing cuts will greatly exacerbate these already long delays. While Congress can continue to authorize funds for farmers to cope with ongoing natural and market disasters, many may needlessly suffer without the staff to …
