Based on news reports of extensive reductions in head count following the activities of DOGE Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Forestry requested details of staff reductions in March. The report that has now been released, with a delay of nine months, covers the first half of calendar 2025.
On January 11th 2025 the USDA had 110,384 employees but by June 14th there were 20,306 fewer. Of this number 15,114 accepted deferred resignation with payment of salaries and benefits through September. After review, 52 job categories regarded as critical to national security were exempted from the reduction in head count. Divisions within USDA that experienced losses included the Agriculture Research Service (23 percent of the total); the National Agricultural Statistics Service (34 percent); the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (35 percent) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 25 percent.
Senator Klobuchar reacted to the report released on Monday December 22nd stating, “It as particularly shocking that agencies responsible for assisting farmers in small towns have lost a third of their employees.” She added, “Losing nearly 20 percent of all USDA staff weakens the department’s ability to respond to challenges facing our farmers, leaves our food supply chains more vulnerable to threats like New World screwworm and avian influenza.”
Data on staff reductions was assembled by the USDA Inspector General but the report does not include reductions from mid-year onwards. It is anticipated that attrition will continue given the ill-advised reorganization of USDA with elimination of functions considered irrelevant or undesired by the Administration, especially pertaining to climate change, equal opportunity policies and environmental conservation. Although job cuts extended across all states, Rhode Island, Maryland, Alaska and Vermont experienced disproportionate reductions according to POLITCO.
It remains to be determined how job losses as a result of coercion, disaffection and premature retirement will impact services. Reduction of head count in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the National Agricultural Statistic Service will have an effect on future planning and implementation of programs to prevent or control plant and animal diseases and to assemble and publish reliable statistical data.
During the first term of President Trump, then Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Sonny Perdue moved a large number of long-term employees in the Economic Research Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service to Kansas City from Washington DC resulting in extensive resignations, weakening the ability of these critical agencies to conduct research and to issue reports. The justification for the action was allegedly to reduce costs and move personnel closer to the constituency they served. These objectives were an entire fabrication, with informed observers noting that the action was to eliminate experienced personnel who had served through successive administrations but were publishing factual reports that were in conflict with White House beliefs, initiatives and policies, especially in the areas of global warming. In the event the move severely depleted institutional experience and knowledge and did not save money. Mission accomplished.