Home » Mass firings strike USDA across agencies, including field staff

Farm Bill Regulatory News Politics Rural

Mass firings strike USDA across agencies, including field staff

02/14/25 4:15 PM By Philip Brasher, Noah Wicks, Steve Davies, and Lydia Johnson

The USDA Service Center in Malvern, Arkansas (Photo: USDA)

The Trump administration’s mass firing of probationary federal employees has swept out workers across USDA, including loan analysts in Farm Service Agency field offices, ag scientists, and about 1,200 staff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, according to sources.

Philip Brasher
Editor in Chief

Steve Davies
Deputy Managing Editor

Lydia Johnson
Associate Editor

Noah Wicks
Associate Editor

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Mike Joyner - Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association

This week's Open Mic guest is Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. At a time when more Americans are turning more health conscious by adding fruits and vegetables to their diets, many of the nation's specialty crop growers are struggling to survive. Joyner says the volume of imports from Mexico and other countries continues to grow, depressing opportunities for domestic growers. Specialty crop growers face ongoing challenges in finding an adequate workforce and support legislative efforts to revise the nation's H-2A regulations. Joyner says specialty crop growers need better crop insurance coverage options and hope future assistance programs are more equitable for fruit and vegetable farmers.

Listen Here

Opinions

DriveTime

Hear More Drive Time

Agri-Pulse DriveTime: July 10, 2026
07/10/26
Listen Here

Newsmakers

View More Videos

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers

07.10.2026

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: IFPA's Cathy Burns on ag labor and packaging regulations; Ag groups on Brazil

Several states are moving forward with Extended Producer Responsibility laws that shift the cost of recycling packaging from local governments to producers of consumer products. International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns explains the consequences of the policy. Plus, Troy Bredenkamp with the Renewable Fuels Association and Krista Swanson with the National Corn Growers Association outline how their sectors are being impacted by Brazil's ag production.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Editorial Office - Washington, DC	Sales, Billing & Customer Service- Camdenton, MO
Suite 436A	110 Waterside Drive
1400 Independence Ave. SW	Camdenton, MO 65020
Washington, DC 20250	(573) 873-0800

	Editorial Office - Sacramento, CA
	(916) 402-9227

Mass firings strike USDA across agencies, including field staff

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment