Davids, Schmidt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Local USDA Field Offices Amid Staff Cuts

Image June 17, 2026 Press Release Tomorrow, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) will introduce bipartisan legislation in response to significant United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) staffing reductions in Kansas and across the country. It would ensure farmers, ranchers, and rural communities maintain reliable access to local USDA services. “Farmers and rural communities shouldn’t have to worry about whether the USDA office they depend on will still be there or properly staffed when they need help,” said Davids . “Kansas has already lost more than 500 USDA employees since last year, and when offices are understaffed or disappearing, it makes it harder for rural communities to access basic services they’ve earned and deliver food more cheaply. Rep. Schmidt and I agree that all Kansas communities deserve dependable access to farm support.” "Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities depend on local USDA offices to access the programs and services they need," said Congressman Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) . "Whether it's disaster assistance, conservation programs, farm loans, or technical support, Kansans deserve reliable, in-person access to USDA resources. Yet many small offices are staffed by only one or two people, which means a reduction in staffing can leave the office unable to function. Our bipartisan bill helps ensure USDA remains accessible to the people it serves and that rural communities are not left behind." “County-level USDA staffing shortages have impeded program implementation for multiple administrations,” said Donn Teske, President, Kansas Farmers Union . “Cuts to the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other USDA agencies have been detrimental to rural America and to the agencies' ability to fulfill their mission. Kansas Farmers Union opposes county office downsizing, consolidation, relocation, and/or closures. We call on USDA to increase funding, hiring, training, and pay for its staff so they can continue to provide quality service to the agriculture community. We thank Representatives Davids and Schmidt for leading this effort in a bipartisan manner, and we look forward to working with them and other key policymakers and stakeholders on this priority.” The USDA Field Office Stability Act would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from closing or relocating Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Rural Development (RD) county and field offices, with limited exceptions for offices located within 20 miles of another USDA office (unless that office is in another state) or for relocations within the same county. The legislation would also require USDA to maintain minimum staffing levels at NRCS, FSA, and RD service centers to ensure offices remain open and accessible to the public during standard business hours. The bill comes amid significant USDA workforce reductions. Kansas has lost more than 500 USDA employees — approximately 32 percent of its workforce — the largest percentage decline in the region. Nationally, more than 24,000 USDA employees have left the department since January 2025, contributing to a nearly 27 percent reduction in workforce between September 2024 and December 2025. Last year, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing , Davids questioned USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on the staff cuts, including at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Rollins called the firings an “imperfect process.” The timing of these firings is alarming given the emergence of the New World Screwworm. Davids previously warned that slashing key roles at local USDA facilities undermines the very mission of the USDA and weakens the nation’s ability to respond to agricultural emergencies. Davids has consistently worked to support rural communities while pushing back against extreme policies that make it harder for producers to thrive. She voted for a bipartisan Farm Bill to provide certainty for Kansas producers, opposed reckless tariffs that are driving up costs, and introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the food supply chain and lowering fertilizer costs. She has also raised concerns about the President’s Argentina beef bailout , which puts foreign producers ahead of American ranchers. Issues : Agriculture Making Government Work for Kansans