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Worries over USDA staff reductions

A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says the USDA’s ongoing reorganization is causing concerns across the countryside. 

Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says she continues to hear from farmers that are worried reductions in USDA staff will limit their ability to access needed services.  

“We know that in the state of Illinois, there’s been about a 27% cut in personnel at USDA. She says, “I am particularly concerned around how those numbers are impacting the Farm Service Agency.”

She tells Brownfield…

“These are workers that are on the front lines for our growers answering technical assistance without real transparency coming out of the administration.”  She says, “And we know these cuts are happening. That’s something that the House Ag Committee should really be hosting more hearings on.”

Budzinski says the staffing reductions, coupled with a proposed billion dollar cut to key conservation programs in the farm bill, are likely to severely limit producers’ ability to incorporate sustainable ag practices on their operations.

Brownfield spoke with Budzinski at the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

AUDIO: Rep. Nikki Budzinski