SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In a significant shift aimed at cost reduction and improved service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will relocate around 2,600 employees from Washington, D.C., to five new regional hubs across the country, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
This move constitutes more than half of the USDA’s workforce in the capital and is designed to bring employees closer to the farmers and agricultural producers they serve. Rollins stated that this reorganization aligns with an ongoing effort from President Donald Trump’s administration to streamline federal operations.
“American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support,” Rollins remarked.
The initiative intends to reduce bureaucratic layers, direct resources where they are most needed, and achieve financial savings as the USDA looks to ensure that expenditures remain within budgeted limits. The complete transition is expected to unfold over the coming months, with the new hubs located in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Fort Collins, Colorado; Indianapolis; and Salt Lake City.
However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from the American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing federal workers. Union officials suspect that this reorganization is a maneuver to cut federal jobs, highlighting that approximately 95% of USDA employees already work outside of the D.C. area.
Chad Hart, a professor of agricultural economics at Iowa State University, expressed concern that moving employees out of Washington could sever vital connections with Congress, which play an essential role in shaping effective agricultural policies.
“You want that balance to ensure effective farm policy,” Hart commented, noting fears of a potentially rough transition.
Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, voiced a more pointed critique. He emphasized that despite the employee relocations, Washington remains the heart of national governance, where crucial coordination occurs between senior leadership and field offices.
Kelley also mentioned that workers stationed at the headquarters are instrumental in ensuring USDA remains influential in discussions with lawmakers and the White House on issues that impact farmers nationwide.
“I’m concerned this reorganization is just the latest attempt to eliminate USDA workers and minimize their critical work,” Kelley asserted.
The USDA indicated that its workforce had increased by 8% over the last four years, with salaries rising by 14.5%. Rollins highlighted that the 4,600 employees located in and around Washington are being described as “underutilized and redundant.” Many are situated in buildings that require billions in delayed maintenance.
The department plans to vacate three buildings in the D.C. area while evaluating the optimal use of three others. One of those buildings has a staggering $1.3 billion in needed maintenance and has the capacity for 6,000 employees but currently accommodates only 1,900.
Furthermore, Rollins stated that relocating will also contribute to a reduction in wages, since employees in the D.C. area currently receive a cost-of-living surcharge of 34%, which is significantly higher than those in the proposed hub locations, such as 17.1% in Salt Lake City and 30.5% in Fort Collins.
This decision signals a foundational change in how the USDA operates and responds to the needs of American agriculture.
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