President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget calls for nearly a 20% reduction in U.S. Department of Agriculture discretionary spending, continuing the administration’s effort to scale back programs.
The proposed budget, released April 3, includes a $1.5 trillion request for defense spending and proposes cutting about $660 billion in non-military spending across the federal government. For USDA, the plan seeks $20.8 billion in discretionary funding, down $4.9 billion, or 19%, from 2026 levels.
The 92-page proposal outlines both funding priorities and programs targeted for reduction or elimination. References to rural issues appear throughout the document, alongside repeated mentions of policy areas the administration has criticized, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Among specific cuts, the budget proposes eliminating Community Facilities grants, reducing funding by $659 million. The administration said the program has shifted away from its intended purpose. Last year’s proposal called for a $721 million reduction.
The plan also targets research funding, proposing a $510 million cut to National Institute of Food and Agriculture formula grants to universities. The administration said it would shift research funding toward competitively awarded projects. The proposal follows a $602 million reduction to NIFA included in last year’s budget.
Staffing cuts and beyond
Staffing levels at USDA agencies would also decline. The Farm Service Agency workforce is projected to drop from 8,135 employees in fiscal year 2025 to 6,009 by 2027, a reduction of more than 25%. The Natural Resources Conservation Service workforce has already declined from 11,542 employees in 2025 to 9,241 in 2026, with staffing expected to remain at that level in 2027.
International food aid programs would see substantial reductions as well. The budget proposes eliminating funding for Food for Peace, reducing it from $1.2 billion in 2026 to $97 million. The administration said the program can disrupt local markets and pointed to other aid efforts it plans to maintain. The proposal also eliminates the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, a $240 million initiative.
Additional reductions include $82 million from the Rural Business Service and $61 million from the Agricultural Marketing Service. The budget proposes eliminating discretionary Conservation Technical Assistance funding from the farm bill baseline, while using remaining Inflation Reduction Act funds to support the program.
However, some areas would see increases. Funding for USDA’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination would rise from $1.7 million to $15.3 million, with staffing increasing from four to 38 positions. The proposal also includes $50 million for departmental reorganization and staff reductions in Washington, D.C.
Outside USDA, the budget proposes cutting $372 million from the Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes flights serving rural communities, while maintaining a restructured version of the program. The administration said the proposed changes are intended to streamline operations, shift resources, and align spending with its policy priorities. In the budget summary, the administration described USDA as having excessive bureaucracy and called for eliminating programs it considers outside its agricultural policy goals.
While a president proposes a budget, it is up to Congress to approve a budget.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
