Report: U.S. Department of Agriculture Staffing Levels

A December 17, 2025 report by USDA's Office of Inspector General found that the Department of Agriculture lost 20,306 employees — roughly 18% of its workforce — between January 12 and June 14, 2025, after beginning the period with 110,384 employees. Of the departures, 15,114, nearly three-quarters, left under the deferred resignation program, which the OIG counted by agreement date, including employees whose separations took effect after the review period; the remainder comprised 1,996 resignations, 1,636 terminations (a category that includes probationary discharges), 1,280 retirements, and smaller numbers of transfers and other separations. Every state and territory lost employees, at rates ranging from 12% in Kentucky to 38% in Rhode Island, including 32% in Washington, D.C.