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Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced significant changes on Friday, revealing the termination of nearly 80 contracts aimed at reducing wasteful spending in the department. Among the terminated contracts are funds allocated for a Brazilian forest and gender consultant as well as a Central American gender assessment consultant.
Rollins disclosed that the 78 contracts operational under the Biden administration had amassed a combined total exceeding $132 million. Furthermore, over 1,000 other contracts are currently under review for potential cancellation, indicating a broader initiative to streamline operations.
Efficiency Review Initiatives
The substantial cutbacks follow a review by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. Rollins emphasized that this initiative will serve as a catalyst for the Agriculture Department to eliminate unnecessary expenditures. “I welcome DOGE’s efforts at USDA because we know that its work makes us better, stronger, faster, and more efficient. I will expect full access and transparency to DOGE in the days and weeks to come,” remarked Rollins.
Details of Terminated Contracts
The cuts encompass a variety of contracts, highlighting a shift in the Agriculture Department’s priorities. For instance, the agency has rescinded funding for a diversity, equity, and inclusion onboarding specialist, which amounted to $374,000. Additionally, $254,000 allocated for diversity dialogue workshops has been eliminated.
Other notable cancellations include $298,000 earmarked for international development supporting historically underrepresented communities. Furthermore, the contract for the Brazilian forest and gender consultant, costing $229,000, has been scrapped. Other terminated programs include a women and forest carbon initiative mentorship program, totaling $121,000, and a $29,000 contract for a Central American gender assessment consultant.
Focus Shift from DEI to Equality
In a previous memo, Rollins called for the dissolution of all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs, signaling a pivot towards unity, equality, and meritocracy. The Agriculture Department also canceled 948 employee training sessions, with 758 of these specifically focused on DEI themes. Trainings that addressed environmental justice and gender ideology have also faced termination.
Specific Eliminated Projects
Among the other contracts terminated was a project aimed at increasing women’s participation in climate change adaptation activities across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with a budget of $91,000. The Department also scrapped a $33,000 contract for a neighborhood electric vehicle utility van, alongside an $11,000 rental for a conference room in Hawaii that was set to accommodate a 100-person meeting on biodiversity.
Media Contract Reductions
The Agriculture Department’s cuts extend to media contracts, resulting in a reduction of $277 million in expenditures. This figure includes subscriptions to POLITICO Pro, a news and information service widely used in the private sector. POLITICO noted that the majority of its subscribers are private organizations.
Government Spending Revisions
Though various federal agencies and lawmakers, particularly Republicans in Congress, have subscribed to POLITICO Pro, the White House recently revealed a plan to eliminate subscriptions to select news organizations as part of a broader strategy to trim government expenses.
Restructuring the Workforce
In addition to canceling contracts, Rollins mentioned plans for optimizing the department’s workforce. This includes eliminating positions deemed unnecessary, mandating employees to report back to physical office spaces, and relocating staff members to the nation’s heartland. These measures aim to enhance operational efficiency and ensure that the Agriculture Department adheres to its commitment to responsible fiscal management.
Looking Ahead
The recent actions taken by the Agriculture Department reflect a decisive shift in approach under Secretary Rollins. By terminating contracts and reallocating resources, the department aims to foster an environment of efficiency and transparency. Stakeholders will likely continue to watch closely as these initiatives unfold and their impact on government operations becomes clearer.
