Agency Says Cuts Would Hurt Rural Idaho

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say proposed budget cuts could devastate rural Idaho by slowing economic growth.

“If these budget cuts go through, rural America will be denied the opportunity for sustained economic growth,” Loren Nelson of the USDA in Boise said.

“USDA in Idaho has worked hard to reduce administrative costs of farm programs. We’ve closed 20 offices, and cut employment by 55 people, saving $2.7 million per year,” Dick Rush of the USDA in Boise said.

The Office of Management and Budget issued a report recently showing that Congressional proposals will cut $298 million dollars in food and farm programs in Idaho over a seven-year period.