USDA to Relocate Staff from Washington, D.C. to Regional Hubs
The USDA announced plans on Thursday to shift a significant number of its staff from Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs, leading to the vacating of multiple buildings in the capital, including its main research center.
After this restructuring, the agency expects that over 2,000 employees will not remain in the D.C. area. Interestingly, the remaining 2,600 workers will be reassigned to hubs located in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City.
Despite the move, the USDA plans to maintain several offices within the Washington area. This includes the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland and a headquarters at the National Mall.
According to Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins, this initiative reflects the administration’s acknowledgment of the vital role agriculture plays in the nation. He stated, “American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this country and the world… President Trump has been elected to make a real change in Washington, and we do just that by moving our key services outside the Beltway.”
Rollins further emphasized that the relocation aims to enhance service delivery to the agricultural community and ensure the continued efficacy of essential services. In a message to staff, he mentioned the goal of bringing the workforce closer to the core functions of the agency.
This overhaul aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reorganize federal operations and reduce the number of federal employees. While the USDA hasn’t made drastic cuts to its workforce, the agency views this plan as part of a larger workforce reduction strategy. It’s worth noting that most of the reductions have stemmed from voluntary retirements, with more than 15,000 employees—around 15% of the total workforce—opting for financial incentives to resign.
However, some Congressional leaders, including Senator John Boozman from Arkansas and Representative Angie Craig from Minnesota, expressed concerns about the lack of discussion surrounding this plan. They suggested that the agency should have consulted with lawmakers and stakeholders before making such announcements. Boozman remarked, “The best way to serve our farming community is to work together, so it’s a shame that the USDA didn’t share plans prior to this announcement.” Craig criticized the apparent disregard for input from Congress and other important voices in the agriculture sector.
Additionally, the USDA is slated to shut down or merge certain regional offices, including a reduction from 12 to 5 offices for its national agricultural statistics services, which compiles important market data. The Forest Service has also announced plans to close nine regional offices over the next year, particularly considering the ongoing fire season.
Employee Ethan Roberts voiced concerns over the potential impact this move may have on workloads at the Agricultural Research Services, stating, “A lot of people won’t take the relocation offer; we will lose more administrative employees who are essential to the daily functions of USDA and ARS.”
