USDA employee cut in mass layoff says termination was a surprise

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – A former North Dakota USDA Agriculture Research Services employee who was let go from the agency after mass layoffs of probationary federal employees by the Trump Administration was devastated to find out they lost their job.

The former employee, who does not want to be identified, was notified by email along with around 800 other ARS employees.

Prior to the notification Friday morning, the former employee says there were talks of reductions, but the layoffs seemingly came “out of the blue.” The emailed letter from the USDA says since the employee is in a probationary – trial period, the employment status is not final. It goes on to say the agency finds that, based on performance, their further employment would not be in the public interest.

However, the email closes by saying the agency appreciates the employee’s service and wishes them the greatest of success in their future endeavors.

The former employee tells KFGO News their performance had been rated “fully successful” across the board.

In a statement, newly sworn in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said she welcomes the work being done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“We know that its work makes us better, stronger, faster, and more efficient,” Rollins said. “I will expect full access and transparency to DOGE in the days and weeks to come.”

The former employee said the cuts will mean more work for the remaining employees and much slower service for stakeholders.

“I would think that no one wants our farms and agriculture to suffer,” the former employee said in a statement. “That’s not a great way to ‘Make America Great Again.”

A representative for an employees union said they plan to fight the cuts.