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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Soil conservation has always been the foundation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which for nearly 60 years was known as the Soil Conservation Service. But NRCS is having trouble finding candidates with the right set of qualifications to fill its ranks.
Tribal leaders warned USDA months ago of a potential food shortage for key food assistance programs.
Now, as some tribes have struggled with backlogs throughout the summer, members of Congress are pushing for transparency and solutions.
The House Agriculture Committee is pressing USDA for transparency on its decision to consolidate contractors for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation, a move that has resulted in food shortages in participating tribal communities.
Lawmakers want states and the Agriculture Department to do more to cut error rates in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administration and are using the farm bill to take action.
Last year, SNAP recipients were overpaid at a national average rate of 10.03% and underpaid 1.64%, according to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. The payment errors are not synonymous with fraud and instead reflect how accurately states, which administer SNAP benefits, determine eligibility and payment amounts.
Employees of USDA feel better about their working conditions and leadership in the years since they posted among the worst morale of any large government agency in an annual survey to determine the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has filled several key staff positions, naming a new director of intergovernmental affairs and a staff director for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
