Courts & Law

Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Colleagues

Lisa Song, Sharon Lerner / ProPublica Jan 20, 2026 Workers now must check the backgrounds of foreign scientists collaborating with the department for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Social Justice

How SNAP Benefits Could Be Saved During the Shutdown

Amanda Becker / The 19th Oct 31, 2025 The USDA has refused to release contingency funds, and Congress remains gridlocked — but there are still paths to keeping the nutrition assistance program alive. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Economic Justice

In About-Face, USDA Declines to Shuffle Funds to Extend SNAP During Shutdown

Shauneen Miranda Ariana Figueroa / States Newsroom Oct 27, 2025 The position is a reversal from the department’s earlier stance, which pledged to use contingency funds to cover the program short term. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Health & Wellness

The Farm-to-School Model Is Under Threat

Stacie Stukin / Capital & Main Oct 23, 2025 Federal rollbacks are leaving farmers and schools struggling, but local investment is helping Tucson’s program endure. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Business & Economy

‘Farming in the Dark’

Sky Chadde / Investigate Midwest Jul 17, 2025 Brooke Rollins’ leadership and the effects of DOGE’s grip could be causing a crisis for American agriculture. Dig deeper ( 16 Min. Read )

Business & Economy

Farmers Face Frozen Jobs and Heavier Workloads Under DOGE ‘Efficiency’ Budget

Christine Peterson / High Country News Apr 21, 2025 Billions in halted or canceled grants, gutted local offices, market turmoil and broken trust are at stake across the West. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Labor

USDA Moves To Make Meatpacking More Dangerous

Whitney Curry Wimbish / Sentient Apr 8, 2025 By removing regulation on the speeds of processing lines, the agency is increasing the likelihood of worker injuries. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Environment

Inside the Push To Save a Biodiverse National Forest From Drilling

Lee Hedgepeth / Inside Climate News Apr 1, 2025 Conecuh National Forest is a biodiversity hotspot. Could oil and gas development put that at risk? Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Economic Justice

‘Our People are Hungry’: Federal Food Aid Cuts in a Warming World

Ayurella Horn-Muller, Naveena Sadasivam / Grist Mar 18, 2025 The USDA’s decision to cut $1 billion in food aid is causing layoffs, supply shortfalls and the end of donations at charitable groups across the country — all as hunger continues to climb. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Courts & Law

Trump May Put Hundreds of Federal Buildings Up for Sale — Including USDA and DOJ

Jennifer Shutt / Michigan Advance Mar 5, 2025 The 440 buildings and assets listed for potential sale represent more than $8.3 billion in “recapitalization needs,” according to Trump’s General Services Administration. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Environment

When Insuring Crops Ensures Climate Mistakes

Mark Schapiro / Capital & Main Jun 28, 2023 Crop insurance is one of many hidden ways the USDA has been masking the impact of climate change on farmers. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

White House Seeks to End Michelle Obama Guidelines on School Nutrition

CAROLE FELDMAN / The Associated Press Jan 17, 2020 The impact will be less fruit and vegetables and more foods like pizza and fries in the meal program that serves 30 million children. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )