KEEP USDA SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA

500 MILES TOO FAR!

USDA REORGANIZATION

On July 24, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a plan to reorganize its offices nationwide. The reorganization affects multiple USDA agencies that serve California's farmers, ranchers, rural communities and national forests, consolidating operations into five regional hubs while eliminating the current nine regional Forest Service offices across the country. The closest hub to California will be located in Salt Lake City, Utah - over 500 miles from the Central Valley.

What's at Stake for California

AGRICULTURAL SECTOR UNDER THREAT

California dominates American agriculture with $59.46 billion in agricultural sales and more than 400 agricultural commodities. California produces 70% of all fruits and vegetables grown in the country. Despite this agricultural supremacy, the USDA reorganization threatens this leadership by:

  • Excluding California representation

    The five new regional hubs are located in Raleigh NC, Kansas City MO, Indianapolis IN, Fort Collins CO, and Salt Lake City UT - none in California despite it being the nation's top agricultural producer

  • Disrupting county services

    Local USDA offices may close or reduce services, affecting farmers' access to technical assistance and emergency response coordination

  • Centralizing nutrition programs

    The Food and Nutrition Service will reduce its regions from seven to five and align with distant USDA hubs, which could affect how SNAP, WIC, and school nutrition programs are administered in California's 58 counties

  • Consolidating agricultural services

    USDA will consolidate support functions away from California, reducing responsiveness to the state's diverse agricultural, environmental and resource challenges

FOREST MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE RESPONSE IN JEOPARDY

California’s 18 national forests covering 20 million acres will be managed from distant states with far less forest land and far different ecosystems. The reorganization plan:

  • Closes Forest Service regional offices over the next year

    including California's Region 5 office that oversees California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands

  • Eviscerates the experienced workforce

    Over 15,000 USDA employees have taken voluntary buyouts, and the reorganization accelerates departures as employees face relocation and elimination of positions

  • Removes local decision-making

    thousands of miles from California's fire-prone forests, removing decision-making authority from those with expertise and slowing emergency response

  • Shutters California's Pacific Southwest Research Station

    The only research station studying Mediterranean climate and chaparral ecosystems moves to Colorado, losing expertise tailored to California's unique conditions

ECONOMIC IMPACT ON CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES

California's rural communities and agricultural economy will bear significant economic costs from the reorganization

  • Displaces workers

    California USDA employees face forced relocation to distant states or job loss

  • Removes local expertise

    Decades of California-specific agricultural and forestry knowledge will be lost

  • Slows agriculture inspections

    Consolidation of support functions may slow critical food safety inspections for California's massive agricultural exports

  • Eliminates rural community support

    Loss of federal presence in rural California communities that depend on USDA and USFS services

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

California cannot afford to lose its voice in USDA decision-making. Act now by sending a letter to USDA to express why it is imperative that regional offices exist to better serve our community.



Submit your comments today! Deadline: August 26, 2025

Email your comments to: reorganization@usda.gov

SAMPLE EMAIL:


"I oppose the USDA reorganization plan because it fails to adequately serve California's needs. As the nation's leading agricultural producer with $59.46 billion in sales - California requires dedicated regional oversight, not distant management from other states. The elimination of Forest Service regional offices puts California communities at risk during fire season and threatens the health of our public lands. The consolidation of county-level services threatens nutrition programs, agricultural assistance, and emergency response that California's 58 counties depend on. This plan was developed without proper consultation with communities, land managers or agricultural stakeholders. I urge USDA to maintain a California-based regional hub, maintain Forest Service regional offices, and ensure continued local service delivery to protect our state's agricultural economy, wildfire response capabilities, public lands and rural communities."

You have until August 26, 2025 to submit comments opposing this plan that abandons California and the West Coast.


For more information contact Bryan Pride, Tuleyome's Policy Director.

RECENT NEWS

September 11, 2025
For Immediate Release: September 11, 2025  Contact: Nate Lillge, 530-379-8697, nlillge@tuleyome.org Trump Attacks Public Lands, Again Trump Proposes to Eliminate Public Lands Protections through Executive Action Woodland, CA – Yesterday, the Administration furthered their attack on America's public lands by directing the elimination of the Public Lands Rule . This is another step in the Administration’s wholesale assault on our public lands in clear opposition to the will of the people. The Public Lands Rule protects our treasured, multi-use landscapes so they'll be there tomorrow. The Rule recognizes that conservation is a type of land use, along with grazing, timber production, energy development, and recreation. Built on decades of management experience and guided by science and data, the rule provides land managers with essential tools to maintain our public lands, ensure access and protect our resources while supporting the diverse ways that communities depend on public lands. "The Public Lands Rule improves the management of our public lands, empowering the Bureau of Land Management to focus management on the needs of the lands where they work," says Sandra Schubert, Tuleyome Executive Director. "Rescinding the Public Lands Rule will rip authority from local land managers to place it in the hands of D.C. bureaucrats whose main goal is to sell our public lands to the highest bidder. All this in opposition to the overwhelming support for our public lands and their protection." By removing the Public Lands Rule, the Administration is failing ranchers and rural communities. Decision after decision made by this Administration has focused on short-term profit, extraction, and selling public lands to private entities. Supporting rural communities, the backbone of our economy and food systems, means ensuring farmers and ranchers have healthy lands they can depend on. It means empowering local BLM managers who understand what their communities need to thrive and provide for the American people. Overused lands don't recover. Degraded grasslands can't support cattle. Clearcut forests take decades to regrow. Contaminated watersheds poison communities for generations. True support for rural communities means embracing the Public Lands Rule. That is exactly why the American people want and support the Public Lands Rule. The Rule has overwhelming support. When given the chance to comment on the Public Lands Rule, more than 150,000 Americans did – 92% in support. When ranchers, recreationists, and resource companies all depend on the same lands, we recognize that we must use them responsibly to ensure they stay productive for everyone. The choice is clear: Protect our public lands for current and future generations, or consume everything now and leave nothing behind. Without the Public Lands Rule, our cherished landscapes lose protection and one of our greatest treasures, our public lands, is at risk.
By Sandra Schubert September 11, 2025
On July 10, 2025, we gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with the people who worked to establish the Monument in 2015 and add Molok Luyuk to it in 2024. We gathered in Lake County. The event began at the Tallman Hotel with folks gathering, speakers, trivia, food, videos, celebration and music by the Rural Jazz Project. We had folks from throughout the region – the Bay Area to Chico, Ukiah to Sacramento…. We had our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, local government representatives and all aspects of our broad coalition – conservationists, scientists, hunters, hikers, and community members, and more. The presentations and speakers were amazing. Tuleyome put together a reel of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument highlights . I was privileged to emcee the event and welcome our speakers and guests. We were honored to have Tribal leadership. Michael Marcks, Vice Chairperson, Executive Council, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake graced us with opening prayer. Vice Chairman Michael Marcks was joined in providing remarks by Vice Chair Eddie Crandell, Vice Chairman for the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Lake County Supervisor . Gail Totton, Tribal Resources Manager for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation , the lead for the addition of Molok Luyuk to the Monument, shared their thoughts on the anniversary and Molok Luyuk. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla spoke to us via video and emphasized the importance of our efforts and our public lands. Luca Moretti read a statement on behalf of Representative Mike Thompson , a legendary champion of public lands, who commended us all and provided Tuleyome with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition . We were surprised and flattered with the honor bestowed upon us. Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources , also spoke to us about his efforts to defend our public lands. Our state and local representatives also joined us. Rhiannon Philippi delivered remarks for California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire. California Senator Christopher Cabaldon spoke to us via video and Sergio Emmanuel Ildefonso Zarate on his staff celebrated with us. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry led a legislative resolution supporting the Monument, which was read by Laura Beltran . Many of our local Supervisors also celebrated with us. Brad Ramussen, Lake County Board of Supervisors , shared his insights. Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Board of Supervisors , spoke to us and sponsored a Yolo County Board of Supervisor's resolution that was read by Bryan Pride, Tuleyome’s Policy Director . Neal Craig, BLM, Ukiah Field Office Manager , and our partners in protecting this amazing area, joined us and spoke to our collaboration. Interspersed with our speakers, Sara Husby, Tuleyome’s Executive Director when the Monument was established, led us in a series of trivia questions penned by Tuleyome’s own Kristie Ehrhardt. The depth of knowledge of our coalition shone through. And, it was fun. We hope folks enjoyed the prizes. Closing out the event were leaders in the conservation movement. José Gonzalez, founder and emeritus Executive Director of Latino Outdoors , offered his insights on the importance of public lands to all of our communities. Bob Schneider and Andrew Fulks , Tuleyome Co-founders and Tuleyome Advisory Council Members, shared the history of the movement and some stories, bringing us full circle, from the time when the idea of a Monument was a spark in their eyes to the establishment and expansion of the Monument. After the event at the Tallman, many of us headed to Middle Creek Campground, a few miles away for some nighttime fun. There was a nature walk with botany, forest bathing, star gazing, owling, s’mores, camping and laughter. I learned new ways of making s’mores, including a toasted marshmallow with a mini peanut butter cup tucked inside. Delicious! And, as a reminder of how wonderful our coalition is, there was an animal rescue. The morning after the event, many of us went to Judy’s Junction in Upper lake for breakfast. When I arrived with my mom, who had joined us, we saw numerous people under the hood of Jora’s car – Nick, Brendan, Karah, Isobel, Jora and a pair of legs sticking out from under the vehicle that I did not recognize. They were searching for a kitty that had lodged itself in Jora’s engine area. After much hullabaloo, the kitty ran – fast. We all thought – no, not over the highway! But, the little scamp jumped into another newly parked car engine. The chivalrous owner opened his hood and let us at it. I didn’t do much. I offered my shirt as a barrier to the hot engine. The heroes were the others. Folks from inside the diner pitched in, but it was our coalition to the rescue – the folks above and then Kim showed up. I’m not sure how, after all the time and efforts, but she was finally able to reach in and rescue the kitty. I saw her pull the little ebony guy out, hug him and rub her face against his. And I knew – he was no longer abandoned; he had a forever home. And, I was right, the little guy is now living with Kim and her family. I didn’t need the confirmation, but watching our group spend a couple of hours rescuing that little creature reminded me why I love this community. We care – all of us – about the life, the place and the creatures we live with. All of them. Big and small. None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors: CalWild, Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club National, Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, Tallman Hotel and Tuleyome. Thank you so much for your continuing support of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and all of our public lands. And thanks to all of you – everyone at the celebration, those who could not join us, and the kitty rescue team. You are what community is. I am honored to be part of ours. -Sandra Schubert Executive Director
By Nate Lillge September 11, 2025
Tuleyome is excited to welcome Mary Lamborn as our Communications Intern. She will working closely with Tuleyome staff to increase Tuleyome's outreach and positive impact on public lands in the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and western Sacramento Valley. Mary is a recent graduate of UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. As a native of the northern Inner Coast Range, she has deep ties to the region and spent time on the trails and waterways in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Welcome, Mary!