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Organic farmers concerned about USDA staff reductions

The leader of an organic farming organization says USDA staff reductions are impacting her member growers.

Lori Stern with Marbleseed Organic Farmers tells Brownfield the loss of institutional knowledge at local NRCS and FSA offices because of early retirement and attrition is a challenge. “These folks that worked for USDA were our colleagues and our friends in many cases, and our advocates for small, organic farms in their communities, and so you know that’s just hard to see generally, people losing their livelihoods and then thinking about the service level to farmers.”

In Wisconsin, FSA staffing is down about 15%.

Stern says Marbleseed and other allied organizations can help NRCS and FSA by advocating for adequate staff and funding. “And then we do what we can, too, in terms of, you know, supporting farmers and giving them the technical assistance that they need to be able to access those programs and take some of that pressure off of short-staffed offices.”

Stern says many of the former employees spent a lifetime learning the nuances of different farming systems, the integrity of organic systems, and organic certification issues.  She believes farmers will be able to find the help they need through NRCS, the Farm Service Agency, and Marbleseed.

Stern spoke to Brownfield during the recent Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

AUDIO: Lori Stern with Marbleseed discusses USDA staffing and organic programs with Brownfield’s Larry Lee during the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.