Farm Action is calling on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate what they call fraud within the checkoff programs.
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Elon Musk, Farm Action says checkoff programs lack transparency and oversight and cost farmers more than a billion dollars annually. They say more than 60 farm groups have called for some checkoff reform over the years.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has directed cuts across the government, with more possible in the coming weeks. DOGE is asking the public to help identify areas for investigation, including agencies within the USDA.
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“If this workforce gets even tighter and tighter, you know, it’s going to drive some folks out of production.”
“It really hamstrings our availability of financing to get loans when everything is costing 30-60% more.”
“It doesn’t matter what we do in Canada or the United States, it’s not going to help the monarch population.”
