USDA Looks At Effectiveness During The Pandemic

USDA's Under Secretaries recently discussed some of the efforts of their mission areas in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic during a recent Agricultural Outlook Forum panel.

"One of the things I'm proudest of is the ability of USDA , FSA, NRCS, RMA, our business center, to continue to deliver on the core programs of this mission area," noted Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie. "Our staffing levels in our offices had to have been reduced; we're coming back strong.  But the fact that we've just been able to the blocking and tackling in the mission area, I think, is really important."

Meanwhile, Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small said "Our rural housing service issued more direct single family housing loans and more guaranteed single family housing loans than ever before.  Even in the midst of a pandemic.  But they were also responding to the challenges of the pandemic."

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