Dr. Becky Schewe: Research Shows USDA Cuts Limiting Local Staff for Farmers

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New analysis from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) raises questions about whether the USDA’s staffing changes will be able to meet the needs of local farmers.

Dr. Becky Schewe, NSAC Research & Policy Analyst, has been studying staffing changes across USDA. Her conclusion is straightforward.

"One thing that's noticeable to me—and I think to our NSAC members and to many farmers, who are generally pretty savvy consumers of information—is that there's been a disconnect between what we're hearing from USDA in terms of a farmer-first focus... and the reality of these widespread cuts that we're seeing across the country and in local communities," Schewe told American Farmland Owner from her office at Syracuse University.

How many employees USDA has lost

According to Schewe, USDA has lost more than 20,000 employees since January 2025, roughly one-fifth of its workforce. She notes that nearly every agency experienced staffing losses.

Reducing staffing in the department is a priority of President Donald Trump’s administration. Schewe is careful about how she describes those staff departures.

"The vast majority of these staff losses were voluntary separations—or at least semi-voluntary separations—through the Deferred Resignation Program," she explained. "They were not terminated, meaning they weren't fired. But it's pretty clear the impacts, regardless of the way that those losses took place."

Dr. Becky Schewe bio:

• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition – Research & Policy Analyst

• Syracuse University – Former Associate Professor of Sociology

• Mississippi State University – Former Assistant Professor of Sociology

• Michigan State University – Former Postdoctoral Researcher

USDA staffing changes

For most farmers, the debate over whether someone resigned or was laid off isn't nearly as important as whether someone answers the phone when they call their local office.

That's where Schewe said the biggest concern lies.

"I'm particularly concerned about the losses to farmer-serving, direct farmer-facing roles in FSA (Farm Service Agency) and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)," she said.

Those offices may not make headlines very often, but they handle some of the most important day-to-day work in agriculture: commodity programs, disaster assistance, farm loans, and conservation programs.

In many counties, those offices are staffed by people who have lived in the community for years.

Iowa Capital Dispatch examined how USDA cuts reduced staffing at counties across the state.

FSA and NRCS employees reduced in county offices

Schewe explained that roughly two-thirds of Farm Service Agency employees actually work for local county committees rather than directly for the federal government.

"These are folks who work in your county offices... who have deep local ties and local knowledge," she said. "Losing those folks has a real impact for farmers, ranchers, and landowners in every state in the country."

Her research found that more than one-third of U.S. counties lost at least one FSA county employee during the past year. Even more striking she believes is that 42 county offices lost all their county staff.

That matters because local knowledge still matters, Schewe maintains. Farmers expect someone working in a county office to not only understand the government programs and forms, but also understand the local crops, local weather, local history, and sometimes even the family's operation.

RELATED: USDA Deputy Secretary Judge Stephen Vindman laid out the department’s reorganization plans to American Farmland Owner and explained why he believes that they will be beneficial.

Farmers rely on local USDA employees

Schewe pointed to USDA's own experience with the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program as evidence that farmers still value face-to-face service.

"What we know now is that 90% of farmers applied in their local offices," she said. "The reality is most farmers go to their local office when they need support."

If those offices become understaffed—or in some cases completely unstaffed—it could become increasingly difficult for producers to receive timely assistance.

The concerns extend beyond FSA. Schewe says NRCS staffing losses may already be affecting conservation programs.

NRCS employees don't simply process paperwork. They work directly with producers to evaluate fields, identify resource concerns, and design conservation practices that fit local conditions.

"It's really particularly important to have local knowledge because you need to know the local resource concerns," Schewe said.

Her analysis found 141 counties had no NRCS staff by January 2026.

Fewer conservation applications

At the same time, she pointed to research from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy showing fewer conservation applications were accepted in 2025 than the year before.

Those programs have always been competitive, but Schewe believes staffing shortages likely contributed.

"Fewer staff in these offices means fewer staff to process applications, more farmers left without technical assistance to support the conservation practices that they want to roll out on their farm," she said.

Whether those staffing losses ultimately prove temporary or long-lasting remains to be seen. But for farmers, this issue isn't really about Washington politics.

It's about whether the person who's helped them through drought assistance, conservation planning, or operating loans is still sitting behind the desk at the county office.

As Schewe said, "We're really already seeing the effects of it, and we expect we will continue to see those effects in FSA and NRCS offices for a long time."

American Farmland Owner question: Will USDA leaders reassess and be forced to restaff some of the county offices that lost key contacts for farmers, or is this part of a longer transition that ultimately will deliver more efficient services for farmers and taxpayers?