AFBF USDA Budget Cuts Could Impact Well Beyond Agriculture

The White House has ordered USDA and all federal agencies to submit a plan by June 30th to shrink their civilian workforces and meet President Trump’s goal to reduce the government’s size and scope.  The direct impact to the agriculture community is not certain at this point.  Even modest personnel cuts could impact the ability of agencies to deliver services.  American Farm Bureau Executive Director Dale Moore said that could impact farmers and non-farmers alike.

“For farmers, ranchers, the rural community, the land grant institutions the research that goes one the nutrition programs that go on and their delivery working with the state.  You also have to take into account when we look around the world the importance of trade the importance of our humanitarian efforts to fee those around the world.”

President Trump lifted his hiring freeze Wednesday, but then directed agencies to write long-term blueprints to trim staffs, starting in October 2018.

“Farm Bureau is certainly going to be engaged on this, we’re going to be working not only with USDA and Secretary Perdue, but, we’re also going to be working withal of the other farm and commodity groups, and even some of our non-traditional partners that may also be customers of the USDA in some form or fashion.”

Agencies like USDA, EPA, and State took the biggest cuts in Trump’s initial budget plan last month.  The idea has not gained moment with many in Washington DC.

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