The Rural Development office in Yuma, previously scheduled for closure, will remain open after push back from Senator Gallego
ARIZONA – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA) office in Yuma will remain open after being slated for closure as part of the Trump-Musk DOGE lease terminations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision was reversed after Senator Gallego sent a letter earlier this year condemning the closure.
“The Rural Development Office is vital to keeping Yuma the Lettuce Capitol of the World. Shutting it down would have been a gut punch to Arizona farmers. DOGE’s plan to close it showed just how out of touch they are with rural communities,” said Senator Gallego. “Thanks to our intervention and the intervention of local leaders, we stopped DOGE in its tracks and kept the office open.”
“On behalf of our entire community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Senator Ruben Gallego. When the Yuma Rural Development Office was slated for closure as part of the DOGE lease terminations, it was a dire situation for our town and countless families,” said Somerton Mayor Gerardo Anaya. “Senator Gallego understood the profound impact this would have on access to critical resources and economic opportunities here in Southern Arizona. His unwavering advocacy and fierce fight ensured that this essential office will remain open, a true testament to his commitment to our rural communities.”
“The city of San Luis is thrilled that the Yuma Rural Development Office will remain open, a decision that secures vital resources for so many here in Southern Arizona. For our community, this office is more than just a government building—it’s a lifeline, a crucial hub that our residents and businesses rely on daily for essential services. When it was inexplicably slated for closure as part of the Trump-Musk DOGE lease terminations, it sent a wave of concern through our town,” said San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel. “Thankfully, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego immediately stepped in, advocating tirelessly on our behalf. We are immensely grateful for Senator Gallego’s unwavering commitment to rural Arizona.”
The Yuma USDA office plays a vital role in fulfilling the USDA’s mission in southwestern Arizona. By housing the Natural Resources Conservation Services and Farm Services Agency, the office has empowered rural communities in Yuma County to access nearly $623 million in loans and grants over the last decade.
Examples of projects funded through the office include a hospital expansion in Bisbee, economic investments to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, improvements to water services in Colonias, and crucial homeownership support in Yuma and Santa Cruz Counties.
6/18/25