Federal RIF Impacts: What’s Ahead for USDA, USGS, and EPA
Turning ideas into impact often depends on the people behind the work. When federal science capacity shrinks, so does our collective ability to steward land, water, and communities with evidence and care.
Context: A Shift Toward Smaller Government
Soon after President Trump took office in 2025, the administration launched a broad initiative to reduce the federal workforce. Each agency was directed to submit a reduction-in-force (RIF) plan to meet this goal. These RIFs aren’t just bureaucratic restructuring—they have real implications for agricultural, environmental, and conservation professionals across the United States.
For those working in or alongside federal science, the proposed RIFs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) represent more than budget shifts—they mark potential losses of institutional expertise, research continuity, and technical support that communities depend on.
Historical Numbers & Agency Functions
Federal science agencies are the foundation of U.S. land and resource management. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employed roughly 98,500 people, according to the Office of Personnel Management. That figure is slightly below pre-pandemic levels of just over 102,000. The USDA’s work extends far beyond food production—it includes the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which supports innovation in farming systems; the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which leads soil and water conservation efforts; and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which provides critical financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), housed within the Department of the Interior, maintains an estimated workforce of about 8,500 employees, based on USGS workforce data. USGS provides the scientific backbone for national mapping, water and geology research, biological studies, and climate adaptation—core science that guides how states and communities manage natural resources.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported approximately 14,000 employees in fiscal year 2024, according to its budget summary. That’s down slightly from roughly 14,700 before the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA scientists conduct critical environmental research and enforce standards that safeguard air, water, and human health across the country.
Together, these agencies form the infrastructure that connects science to stewardship. USDA delivers research to farmers and landowners; USGS provides the data and analysis that drive evidence-based management; and EPA ensures environmental standards are upheld to protect both ecosystems and people.
Inside the RIF Plans
What’s Proposed
Under Executive Order 14210 (“Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative”), agencies were required to develop and submit RIF and reorganization plans by March 13, 2025. The directive prioritizes reductions in positions not mandated by law or considered “essential” during shutdowns.
USDA: Expected to consolidate regional research centers and reduce field staff, especially within NRCS and ARS. Some roles are being relocated or converted into temporary positions.
USGS: Facing consolidation of regional climate centers and merging of biological science divisions, potentially impacting cooperative research units and state partnerships.
EPA: The Office of Research & Development (ORD) and regional enforcement units are under review, with possible downsizing or privatization of certain lab functions.
What’s Happened So Far
A federal court injunction has temporarily blocked full-scale implementation of the RIFs at several agencies, pending review of procedural legality and impact on statutory missions.
Over 15,000 USDA employees have accepted voluntary departure incentives under a “Deferred Resignation Program.”
Agencies are leaning on early retirements and temporary reassignments to meet targets without formal layoffs.
Shutdown Complications
The 2025 government shutdown exacerbated uncertainty. Some RIF notices were prepared in tandem with furlough plans, signaling deeper structural cuts once operations resumed.
Impacts on Federal Science & Conservation
These RIFs may look like numbers on a spreadsheet—but their effects ripple far beyond Washington.
1. Loss of Institutional Knowledge
Decades of cumulative expertise risk being lost as senior scientists retire early or positions are eliminated. At USDA and USGS, where mentorship and field-based learning are vital, this means fewer experts to guide data interpretation, stakeholder collaboration, and applied conservation decisions.
2. Disruption to Long-Term Research
Many conservation studies and monitoring programs span decades. Interrupting staffing can compromise data integrity—affecting climate models, hydrological tracking, and habitat restoration efforts. Once broken, longitudinal datasets are difficult (and costly) to rebuild.
3. Reduced On-the-Ground Support
Farmers, land managers, and local agencies depend on USDA field offices for technical assistance. Staff cuts in NRCS or FSA directly reduce access to conservation planning and implementation expertise—especially in rural and underserved areas.
4. Narrowing the Federal Science Pipeline
Fewer research positions mean fewer opportunities for early-career scientists. This contraction risks eroding diversity in the federal science workforce and weakening future collaborations with universities and nonprofits.
Staying Engaged & Informed
At RKO Consulting Group, we believe data informs, but heart moves. The path forward isn’t just about reacting to policy—it’s about staying grounded, engaged, and relationship-focused.
Stay Informed
Follow workforce updates from OPM’s FedScope and agency press releases.
Track ongoing litigation and injunctions via GovExec and Federal News Network.
Engage Your Members of Congress
Share tangible local impacts: which research centers or conservation offices are at risk in your district?
Ask your representatives for updates on oversight hearings related to agency RIF plans.
Emphasize the long-term consequences for food security, environmental resilience, and rural economies.
Practice Honest-Broker Engagement
Approach conversations with curiosity and respect. Frame discussions around shared values—stewardship, efficiency, and accountability—rather than partisanship. Building trust with policymakers takes time and empathy, not just urgency.
Stay Relationship-Focused
This moment can be an opportunity to strengthen partnerships—with local agencies, NGOs, and community leaders. Collaboration builds resilience when systems are under stress.
Closing Thoughts
Federal science doesn’t just generate data—it sustains the systems that protect soil, water, food, and people. As RIF plans unfold, the stakes are clear: our nation’s capacity to respond to complex challenges depends on preserving institutional expertise and human capital.
At RKO Consulting Group, we’ll continue translating these developments into grounded insights and actionable strategies—helping organizations navigate complexity, build bridges, and turn ideas into impact for people and the planet.