In a seismic shift under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has seen over 15,000 employees accept financial incentives to leave their roles.
See the tweet below!
This shake-up, stemming from Trump administration policies, is part of a strategic move to streamline government operations and cut down on bloated bureaucracy.
It’s a critical development that may redefine how the USDA operates in the future.
More than 15,182 USDA employees, equivalent to 15% of the department’s entire workforce, have decided to resign under voluntary offers orchestrated by the Trump administration.
This reorganization is not just about reducing numbers—it’s an effort to make the USDA more effective and efficient in prioritizing America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers.
The Deferred Retirement Program (DRP), a voluntary tool, empowered USDA employees to make individual decisions about their future.
This move signifies a concerted effort to streamline operations and focus resources where they matter most.
Notably, the USDA consists of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees, making this reduction a substantial stride towards efficiency.
The resignations didn’t happen in isolation. They coincide with a $1 billion cut to local food programs and ongoing efforts to reduce egg prices.
Furthermore, specific sectors within the department, like the Food Safety and Inspection Service, saw 555 employees resign, while over 1,000 left positions at the Farm Service Agency and county offices.
Notably, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is poised to lose an additional 2,408 staffers in a second exit wave.
“Secretary Rollins is working to reorient the department to be more effective and efficient at serving the American people, including by prioritizing farmers, ranchers, and producers. She will not compromise the critical work of the Department,” informed a USDA spokesperson, cited by The Hill.
The Biden administration, in contrast, absorbed many of the returning staff without establishing a sustainable payment plan, showcasing a difference in fiscal strategy and workforce management.
Earlier, around 6,000 probationary employees were fired but later reinstated by a federal board, illustrating ongoing volatility in personnel management practices.
Despite these changes, the USDA remains committed to its public safety roles, particularly in maintaining robust food safety measures.
Efforts to rescind termination notices for employees involved in critical responses, such as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) crisis, reflect that commitment.
“Although several positions supporting HPAI were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters,” the USDA said further.
As Secretary Rollins plans to open new trade opportunities by visiting international markets like the U.K., Japan, and Brazil, the USDA is setting its sights on a future of expanded agricultural exports.
This forward-thinking approach comes as trade with China encounters challenges.
These efforts are all part of a broader vision to maintain American agricultural strength on the global stage, ensuring the USDA’s focus remains firmly on serving the nation’s farmers and producers.
More than 15,000 USDA staff – about 15% of the agency workforce – have taken Trump's financial incentive to quit, according to data shared with congress by the agency. And that number could rise.
Who's leaving? Details in the chart below, and story here: https://t.co/PE71COc7GF pic.twitter.com/pIZDFqR7zi
— Leah Douglas (@leahjdouglas) May 4, 2025
