USDA Staffing Cuts Raise Concerns Over Access to Conservation Programs Amid Increased Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is undergoing staffing cuts and a planned reorganization, particularly impacting the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This has led to concerns among farmers, ranchers, and conservation groups that producers may face difficulties accessing federal conservation programs, despite Congress increasing funding for several of these initiatives. In South Dakota, USDA budget documents projected a significant reduction in NRCS technical-assistance positions, from 113 to 40. Nationally, NRCS experienced a 23% workforce reduction between January 2025 and January 2026, with Midwestern states like Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin seeing substantial cuts. While USDA officials assert the restructuring aims to reduce bureaucracy and improve service by moving resources closer to producers, conservation advocates worry that fewer technical staff could limit the agency's capacity to serve farmers and ranchers effectively, regardless of available funding. Many NRC...
