Halt the Unnecessary USDA Reorganization Plan!
Did you hear that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is unnecessarily slashing its capacity to fulfill its mission of serving American farmers and families? It’s likely you haven’t, since the agency’s leadership is attempting to roll out a massive plan that will reduce staffing and resources at USDA without any meaningful public input!
USDA calls its plan a “reorganization,” but it’s really a forced reduction and the dismantling of a department with critical responsibilities for our country. The department has predicted that 50%* or more of headquarters staff would leave the agency under its plan to require them to relocate to 5 new “hubs”, and is proposing to shutter numerous regional offices and research centers These staff losses and consolidations within the department will lead to even longer wait times for services, exacerbate existing bottlenecks for popular programs, and put our food and farm system’s safety and security at risk.
Here are just a few examples of the critical functions USDA provides, often behind the scenes:
- Food Safety: Research into new and existing pest and disease threats to our agricultural economy, like avian flu, E. Coli, and salmonella, along with research into resilient and productive seeds, and evidence-backed guidance for farmers to mitigate whatever challenges the future brings.
- Farm Viability: Disaster assistance for farmers who are impacted by severe weather events like hurricanes and drought; lending services for critical operating loans and land access resources for farming.
- Nutrition Assistance: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are administered jointly by federal and state staff, as well as programs that empower people to use their benefits at farmers markets.
- Technical Assistance: Outreach and education for farmers to help them understand and navigate the federal application process for popular conservation programs, Farm Service Agency loans, and more…
A rushed, unplanned, arbitrary “reorganization” means disrupted research, longer waits for farm services, and hinders USDA from being able to fulfill its mission fully and effectively.
At the final hour, under public outcry, USDA decided to open a public comment period to hear input and feedback from stakeholders – which is where you come in! Can you take 60 seconds to send a quick email to USDA and your Member of Congress demanding they halt this reorganization immediately and listen to their farmer and community stakeholders first?
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