Rebecca Schewe and colleague publish analysis on the USDA
Rebecca Schewe, associate professor of sociology at Syracuse University and part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, recently published an analysis of recent USDA policies with her colleague Bernie Kluger. Titled “USDA Staffing Cuts Reduce Local Presence in Communities Nationwide,” the paper explains the depth and breadth of the ongoing USDA staffing crisis using previously unpublished data on Farm Service Agency (FSA) County employee cuts, as well as updates on previously reported nationwide cuts to staff across other USDA agencies. Federal personnel data from the US Office of Personnel Management confirms widespread headcount reductions across all USDA agencies, with the exception of staffing increases in the immediate office of the Agriculture Secretary.