Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, says Illinois farmers are raising concerns over staffing cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Budzinski is warning that a smaller federal farm support system could make it harder for producers to get answers, complete paperwork, and access essential services.
Here's what to know
Speaking at the Illinois State Fair in August, Budzinski told Brownfield that the USDA's ongoing reorganization is adding to farmers' concerns.
Budzinski pointed to a significant personnel drop in Illinois. "We know that in the state of Illinois, there's been about a 27% cut in personnel at USDA," Budzinski said. "I am particularly concerned around how those numbers are impacting the Farm Service Agency."
The Farm Service Agency is often the office farmers turn to for routine support.
She also said the House Agriculture Committee needs to spend more time examining what the staffing cuts are doing to farmers and rural communities.
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Budzinski said the loss of USDA staff could become even more harmful if it coincides with what Brownfield described as a proposed billion-dollar reduction to major conservation programs in the farm bill.
According to Brownfield, she said that combination could leave producers with less room to put sustainable agriculture practices in place on their operations.
What's being done?
Budzinski said lawmakers should push for more transparency from the administration.
"That's something that the House Ag Committee should really be hosting more hearings on," she said.
She said the concern is especially acute for the frontline workers farmers rely on when they need help navigating programs and technical questions. "These are workers that are on the front lines for our growers answering technical assistance without real transparency coming out of the administration."
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