USDA Requests Flexibility in Trimming Budget

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has asked the White House for “flexibility” in cutting five percent of USDA’s discretionary spending. The request comes in an effort to cut mandatory farm programs in fiscal year 2012 instead making the entire cut in discretionary programs, according to Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in a speech to the American Soybean Association board. According to Merrigan, cost-cutting is difficult since 70 percent of the USDA budget goes toward nutrition programs including food stamps and school meals. (AgWeek) Read more.