LYONS — In recent weeks, action taken by the federal administration has left many individuals wondering about the status of a small-town staple—the U.S. Department of Ag- riculture (USDA) county oce.
In February, the Trump admin- istration laid o USDA sta across Iowa and the nation by sending unexpected termination notices to probationary employees. In Iowa, this resulted in a loss of dozens of
sta that directly serve farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and rural community members. On March 11, after a ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board, USDA issued a 45-day stay on terminated employees, returning them to paid status. However, questions remain about what the future holds beyond the 45-day mark.
USDA sta at the local and state levels provide valuable services to the communities they serve. Natural Resources Conservation Service sta help producers implement farming and ranching practices that build soil health and protect water quality. Farm Service Agency sta process farm loans and disaster assistance. Rural Development sta assist with rural housing and energy projects.
Cuts to these sta mean that many producers and rural community members will face delays in accessing important services or not receive essential services at all. In addition, layos mean that remain -ing employees are left with more work, culminating in the slower processing of grant applications and loans.
The ramifications of laying o state- and county-level feder al employees extend beyond the agency itself. These employees are most often members of the rural communities they serve, spending their income and making personal investments in local businesses, education, and community development.
