U.S. Ag Secretary Hears Concerns About Federal Staff Cuts During North Dakota Visit

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Jeff Beach. North Dakota Monitor) – Matt Perdue, government relations director for the North Dakota Farmers Union told U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins that staff cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture have farmers worried they won’t get the help they need in securing federal loans.

“Earlier this year, we had a farm loans webinar. That same webinar last year had 17 attendees. This year it had 107 and I think that is an indication of the financial stress and uncertainty out there,” Perdue said. “I think it also is an indication of how important FSA (Farm Service Agency) farm loans are for producers when times get tough.”

Rollins, who held a roundtable discussion with farm groups in Fargo  said she understands the concerns as USDA shrinks its workforce but she tried to offer some reassurances.

She said USDA workers were told last week, “If you are FSA or frontline or with the farmers, you are not eligible to take early retirement.”