All USDA Employees,

As many of you are aware, annual funding for much of the Government expires on September 30. The Administration will continue working with the Congress to complete appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022.

Prudent management requires the proper preparation for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur. A lapse would mean that certain Government activities would cease due to a lack of appropriated funding, and that designated pre-notified employees of this agency would be temporarily furloughed. To prepare for this possibility, we are working to update our contingency plans for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in appropriations.

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and patience through this process, and for all that you do for the United States Department of Agriculture and the American people.

Dr. Jewel Bronaugh
Deputy Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture