More than 15,000 USDA employees have accepted buyout offers under President Trump’s federal workforce reduction initiative, marking a significant shift in the agency’s operations.

At a Glance

• Over 15,000 USDA employees accepted voluntary buyout packages, with 3,800 leaving in February and another 11,300 in April
• Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized maintaining food security and critical operations despite workforce reductions
• The buyouts are part of President Trump’s broader effort to reduce federal bureaucracy and cut costs
• Certain critical positions related to national security and public safety have been exempted from the federal hiring freeze
• Employee reactions were mixed, with those near retirement generally favorable while others cited concerns about understaffing

Massive Workforce Reduction at USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has seen a significant reduction in its workforce as thousands of employees have accepted buyout packages in 2025. The voluntary program, implemented in two phases, resulted in 3,800 employees departing in February, followed by an additional 11,300 in April. These departures represent a substantial portion of the USDA’s workforce and align with the Trump administration’s broader objective of streamlining the federal government and reducing bureaucratic overhead.

Here is why DOGE's 1,000 headcount reduction at the bloated Veterans Administration should be 150,000 at minimum. ( https://t.co/pjyLZ3jfYR)

Employment can grow like Topsy in the Federal government—especially when congressional committees compete over who can more recklessly… pic.twitter.com/n99GSc2jng

— David Stockman (@DA_Stockman) February 16, 2025

Balancing Cuts With Critical Services

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized that despite the workforce reduction, the department remains committed to maintaining food security and essential operations. Rollins aims to reshape the USDA into a more efficient organization with a sharper focus on supporting farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. The voluntary nature of the program allowed employees to make personal decisions based on their individual circumstances, with many near-retirement age finding the offer attractive.

To prevent disruption of vital services, Rollins issued a memo on April 22 establishing exemptions from the federal hiring freeze for specific job classifications. These exemptions cover positions critical to national security, public safety, and essential public services. This approach seeks to balance the administration’s cost-cutting goals with the need to maintain the USDA’s core functions for American agriculture and food systems.

Mixed Employee Reactions

While the buyout program proved beneficial for employees approaching retirement or those unable to return to in-office work, reactions varied widely across the federal workforce. For many career civil servants, particularly those in already understaffed offices, the offer was viewed as problematic. Some employees, especially at the Department of Labor, expressed that they valued their public service roles too much to accept the buyout, regardless of financial incentives.

Critics of the program have pointed to existing staffing shortages in some departments, suggesting that further workforce reductions could impact the delivery of services. However, supporters of the administration’s approach contend that reducing federal bureaucracy will lead to more efficient operations and cost savings for taxpayers. The voluntary program represents a less disruptive approach to workforce reduction than involuntary layoffs.

Long-term Implications

The substantial reduction in USDA staffing levels signals a significant shift in federal workforce management under the Trump administration. As the department adjusts to operating with fewer personnel, the focus will be on maintaining productivity through increased efficiency and prioritization of core functions. Secretary Rollins has indicated that the restructuring is part of a longer-term vision to create a more responsive and effective USDA that better serves agricultural stakeholders.

The administration’s approach to federal workforce reduction through voluntary buyouts rather than layoffs has allowed for a more controlled transition. With exemptions in place for critical positions, the USDA aims to preserve essential services while reducing overall personnel costs. The success of this strategy will ultimately be measured by the department’s ability to fulfill its mission with a leaner workforce in the coming months and years.