USDA Layoffs Derail Climate Science and Crop Projects
- USDA scientists were working on projects to improve crops and defend against pests and disease
- Layoffs threaten to undermine billions of taxpayer dollars paid to farmers for conservation practices
- The USDA layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal employees
- Scientists were fired via a blanket email, citing performance issues
- The layoffs affect the agency's ability to implement climate policies and conservation programs
The widespread layoff of Department of Agriculture scientists has thrown vital research into disarray, according to former and current employees of the agency. Scientists hit by the layoffs were working on projects to improve crops, defend against pests and disease, and understand the climate impact of farming practices. The layoffs also threaten to undermine billions of taxpayer dollars paid to farmers to support conservation practices, experts warn. The USDA layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal employees, mainly targeting people who are in their probationary periods ahead of gaining full-time status, which for USDA scientists can be up to three years.