Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Tuesday that the USDA will unveil its reorganization plan next week, highlighting that it will not be as extensive as some have feared. Speaking to members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Rollins noted that around 15,000 USDA employees have taken buyouts since President Donald Trump assumed office. However, this figure should be viewed in context, as the department typically experiences an annual attrition of about 8,000 to 10,000 employees.
She explained that while the headlines surrounding the 15,000 buyouts may seem alarming, the impact may not be as significant as it appears due to the ongoing trend of employee turnover. The USDA originally employed approximately 106,000 individuals.
Rollins indicated that the reorganization will likely reduce the USDA’s presence in Washington, D.C., but specifics about the extent of the reduction were not disclosed. “We are right-sizing. We are, quote, ‘downsizing,’” she stated, emphasizing that the changes might not be as severe as anticipated by some observers.
Importantly, she confirmed that the plan will protect essential functions by keeping Farm Service Agency field staff and Forest Service wildland firefighters intact. Rollins stated that the department has not accepted recent deferred resignation program applications from these critical roles and has committed to ensuring they remain fully staffed and potentially even more effective.
During a subsequent discussion with the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Rollins clarified that the USDA does not intend to close any of its 4,500 Farm Service Agency field offices. The agency is looking to enhance its online services to facilitate better access for farmers and ranchers, thus reducing their dependency on physical office visits.
This restructuring effort aims to streamline operations while still supporting vital services for the agricultural community, fostering a hopeful outlook for improved efficiency in the USDA’s functions moving forward.