Agriculture Department Loses Nearly One‑Fifth of Its Workforce

Over 20,000 staff departures in the first half of the year

According to a recent report issued by the agency’s inspector general, the U.S. Department of Agriculture experienced a significant turnover between January and June. Out of a total workforce exceeding 110,000 employees, more than 20,000 individuals left their positions.

The departure rate, which amounts to roughly one‑fifth of the department’s staff, has raised concerns about operational continuity and the ability to meet the agency’s critical missions.

Officials have not yet detailed the primary reasons behind the mass exits, but the figures underscore a growing challenge in retaining talent within a federal agency that plays a vital role in national food security, rural development, and agricultural research.