Agri-Pulse

Cosby: Efforts underway to hire 1,600 NRCS employees by fall

The Natural Resources Conservation Service should see 1,600 new employees by early this fall after being granted direct hiring authority last week, NRCS Chief Terry Cosby told Agri-Pulse Thursday. On ...
Government Executive

USDA asks employees to transfer to 'critical' vacancies, suggests more cuts coming

An agency within the Agriculture Department is asking employees to fill jobs it just incentivized employees to leave, telling staff it will be further cutting positions but those open for transfers ...
Agri-Pulse

Getting Grounded: How USDA leans on outside groups, retirees to fill conservation staffing gaps

Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a series, “Getting Grounded,” that examines the nation's conservation delivery system and the mounting challenges facing farmers in getting the help ...
Civil Eats

Conservation Work on Farms and Ranches Could Take a Hit as USDA Cuts Staff

In the spring of 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officially offered Gretchen Troutman, 49, a job as a natural resource specialist. Elated, she packed up her life in Pennsylvania and ...
New Hampshire Public Radio

Former USDA employee describes firing and long term impact of job cuts in NH

Becca Sheetz was a natural resources specialist at USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. She was fired along with thousands of other federal employees in February. The Trump administration ...