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Far-reaching concerns from USDA cuts

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has confirmed more than 15,000 employees are taking a buyout from the USDA and the president of the National Farmers Union says it’s alarming.

Rob Larew says the USDA’s efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse are admirable – but the move is already impacting producers at a local level.

“We’re hearing reports of county offices where they are only open two or three days a week now, simply because they don’t have the staff in order to do that,” he said. “That makes it very difficult for farmers to be able to access the programs, get answers, and get the assistance they need.”

The Farm Service Agency is one of the hardest hit, with more than 35 percent of employees taking a buyout.

About 6 percent of Food Safety and Inspection Service employees are taking the department’s offer.  Larew tells Brownfield that is a concern for the food supply chain.

“If a meat plant cannot have inspectors there, they can’t operate. If they can’t operate, farmers can’t deliver livestock there. That makes livestock out of condition, that lowers prices. All of this has a ripple effect all across the farm economy.”

USDA officials have yet to announce its reorganization plans, but those are expected soon.

Brownfield’s Meghan Grebner’s report from NAFB’s 2025 Washington Watch: