A Silent Exodus—Veterinarians Among Thousands Leaving the USDA

In a quiet but sweeping shift within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 15,000 employees have opted for financial incentive programs designed to reduce the federal workforce. Among them are hundreds of veterinarians—public health guardians whose work is essential to protecting animal welfare, ensuring food safety, and responding to disease outbreaks like avian influenza.

According to a USDA briefing shared with congressional staff, 15,182 employees have signed departure contracts through two voluntary resignation programs launched earlier this year. The number represents roughly 15% of the USDA’s workforce, sending shockwaves through an agency whose services reach deep into American farms, food systems, and environmental health.

While the overall federal workforce has been shrinking—over 260,000 employees across various agencies have exited since the start of the current administration—USDA's losses stand out for their potential long-term impact on rural communities, food security, and public health infrastructure.

Recognizing the importance of frontline services, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has exempted several key roles from the hiring freeze, including veterinarians, wildland firefighters, and food safety inspectors. But even with exemptions, the exodus has affected essential units like the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), where 1,377 employees have departed—including those critical to controlling the ongoing bird flu outbreak.

Veterinarians within APHIS play a vital role in monitoring disease outbreaks, safeguarding animal exports, and overseeing biosecurity. Their absence could slow response times, weaken surveillance efforts, and delay mitigation strategies. As one former agency veterinarian shared anonymously, “We’re not just checking boxes—we’re out in the field preventing the next pandemic.”

Also impacted is the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), where 555 employees have left. Veterinarians here ensure the safety of the nation’s meat, poultry, and egg products—roles that are irreplaceable in maintaining public trust in the food supply.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency have also seen significant departures, with 2,408 and 674 employees leaving, respectively. These offices provide on-the-ground support to farmers, including conservation planning and emergency assistance.

Despite assurances that frontline services won’t be compromised, the sheer scale of the losses has many in the veterinary and agricultural communities concerned. “Every time someone with decades of field experience leaves, they take institutional knowledge with them,” said Dr. Lila Ramirez, a public health veterinarian based in the Midwest. “You can’t train that overnight.”

While some see the shift as an opportunity to streamline the agency, others worry that the hollowing out of expertise—particularly among veterinarians—may cost more in the long run, especially as the country faces emerging zoonotic threats and increasing demands for sustainable agriculture.

As the USDA recalibrates its workforce, the contributions of its veterinary professionals—past and present—remain a cornerstone of its mission. But with fewer hands at the helm, the road ahead may prove more challenging for the nation’s animal and food systems.