More Than 15,000 USDA Employees Have Taken Trump Financial Incentive to Leave
More than 15,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have taken one of the Trump administration’s two financial incentive offers to leave the agency, according to a readout from a USDA briefing with congressional staff seen by Reuters.
The sum represents about 15% of the USDA’s total workforce.
President Donald Trump’s administration has offered federal employees several months of pay and benefits if they opt to leave their jobs as part of his effort with billionaire ally Elon Musk to shrink the federal workforce.
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Secretary Rollins Announces New State Directors for FSA, Rural Development
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.
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Letlow Praises Appointment of Craig McCain as Louisiana FSA Head
Congresswoman Julia Letlow released the following statement praising the appointment of Craig McCain to serve as State Executive Director for the Louisiana Farm Service Agency (FSA).
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Louisiana Farm Bureau Supports Appointment of Craig McCain as FSA Director
Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot issued the following statement in response to the appointment of Craig McCain as State Executive Director for the Louisiana Farm Service Agency (FSA).
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USDA Announces May 2025 Lending Rates For Agricultural Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for May 2025, which are effective May 1, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
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USDA Launches Lawfare Complaint Portal For Farmers And Ranchers
The USDA has launched a portal for farmers, ranchers, and USDA customers to report complaints if they believe they have been targeted by unfair or politically motivated legal actions.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement Wednesday morning. “We will work with our counterparts across the Trump government to address any other government overreach in situations like this,” she says.
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In First 100 Days, Secretary Rollins Affirms POTUS’ Economic Policy, Empowers Rural America, and Fights to Expand Market Access for U.S. Farmers
In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has rolled out a five point plan to lower the cost of eggs, worked to expand market access for American farmers, and empowered rural communities.
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USDA To Issue $1.3 Billion To Specialty Crop Producers Through Second Marketing Assistance Program Payment
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a second round of payments coming this week for specialty crop producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, providing up to $1.3 billion in additional program assistance. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) already delivered just under $900 million in first round payments to eligible producers.
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USDA Beginning Farmer And Rancher Veterans Webinar Series
Register for a free webinar series for military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses on how to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prepare for a career in agriculture. This webinar series is designed to provide information about USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs and resources for the military community.
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Louisiana Crop Progress and Condition: April 2025
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 3.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, April 27, 2025. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 8 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
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Ranking Member Angie Craig, Ag Democrats Urge Restraint in USDA Mass Layoffs
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) led fellow Agriculture Committee Democrats on a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressing deep concern regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) anticipated Reduction in Force (RIF).
The letter comes after months of chaos and discord at USDA have sowed confusion and uncertainty throughout the farm economy and rural America.
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U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Announces Major Win for Texas Farmers and Ranchers in Water Negotiations with Mexico
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announces a major win for American agriculture by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The Mexican government committed to transfer water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.
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Rep. Troy Carter Meets with Farmers, USDA Employees
Rep. Troy Carter (D, Dist. 2) is back in his district planting sweet potatoes with Leory Conish, a produce farmer in St. James Parish.
Conish gave him tips on how far apart to drop each seed potato in the row. Despite being accustomed to getting his hands dirty in Washington, D.C., Carter said getting his hands dirty in this field is a good thing.
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USDA Delivers Immediate Relief to Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters that have caused devastation across the country.
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Crop Progress: Corn Plantings Faster than Expected
USDA’s latest crop progress report, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through April 20, is giving traders more and more data to digest as the season gets more solidly underway. Of particular note, corn and soybean plantings were a bit speedier than analysts had predicted, while winter wheat quality was worse than expected.
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