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A new report from the USDA’s Office of Inspector General shows the USDA lost over 20,000 employees between January and June 2025, nearly one-fifth of its total workforce. The vast majority of these departures were driven by the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program that used buyouts to incentivize employees to leave the federal government.
The U.S. Forest Service was the hardest hit of all the USDA departments, losing 5,860 employees, or approximately 16 percent of its total workforce. Similarly, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which provides conservation planning for Western ranchers and farmers, lost 2,673 employees, 22 percent of its staff.
Because the report only covers the first half of 2025, the true scale of attrition is likely far higher. In July, the Trump administration announced a reorganization to relocate many Washington, D.C. staff to five locations around the country. The administration is also considering moving the U.S. Forest Service to Salt Lake City, which would likely trigger another wave of resignations from an already depleted agency.
Happy holidays from the Center for Western Priorities
The Center for Western Priorities team is taking a holiday break. Look West will return to your inbox on January 5. See you in the new year!
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When I’m on the streets or on an escalator or elevator, I am making every little girl of color aware of a career choice she may not have known she had.”
