U.S. Federal Attorney

The Trump administration's federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock. It's creating longer wait times for farmers seeking federal services and programs, people working in agriculture say.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture puts Michigan’s farm real estate value at about $6,800 per acre in 2025, a 7.8% increase from 2024. It was the highest increase in the country.

Farm aid promised last December is still months away from being paid out to fruit and vegetable growers. But industry groups say it won't be enough to get them through tough market conditions.

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and unpredictable weather. Now, the future of these hubs is uncertain.

Under the current system, producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.

Federal data found that millions of people struggled to get enough food in 2024. The report will be the final publication of such data after the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will scrap the annual hunger survey.

Most of the package is earmarked for row-crop producers. It aims to help farmers – especially those who grow soybeans – balance out losses from high costs and a trade war with China.

The federal funding package to reopen the government included a one-year extension of certain 2018 Farm Bill programs. Several expired Sept. 30 or would have been null by the end of the year.

People working to address hunger say the canceled report is a main resource to understand where and how people are experiencing food insecurity across the country.

A plan to disperse Washington-based USDA jobs to five hubs, including Kansas City and Indianapolis, is making waves across agriculture. Critics say the shakeup could hobble the agency, while proponents say it will move staff closer to farmers and save money.