Farmers Struggle as USDA Staff Vanish | Philadelphia News

Farmers nationwide are in crisis as the Agriculture Department faces crippling staff shortages, leaving critical services like loans and grants stalled. In New Mexico, a couple’s organic baby food business nearly collapsed after months of bureaucratic limbo—forcing them to pay over $200,000 in private lender fees. With more than 20,000 workers departing since last year, dozens of counties now have no Farm Service Agency staff, forcing farmers to travel hundreds of miles or abandon aid altogether. As budget cuts loom and federal workers relocate from Washington, rural communities face mounting hardship—losing not just resources, but vital local expertise and trust during an already tough economic season. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e4cd2c251ace8810