The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to undergo significant changes as it relocates a substantial portion of its workforce from Washington, D.C., to regional hubs across the country. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reassured employees that while there will not be large-scale, nonvoluntary layoffs, the agency plans “focused and limited” reductions in force if necessary.
In conjunction with this reorganization, the USDA will allow over 15,000 employees to leave the agency later this year through deferred resignation and early retirement offers. The aim of this strategic shift is to place employees closer to the communities they serve and to cut operating costs, reflecting a workforce that expanded by 8% under the Biden administration, along with a 14.5% increase in employee salaries.
This move contrasts with attempts made during the Trump administration, when efforts to relocate a few hundred employees to Kansas City saw numerous workers opting to leave the agency instead. The USDA now plans to establish five key hubs in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. These locations were selected based on existing USDA employee concentrations and local cost of living considerations.
Rollins acknowledged in a video message that the transition may create personal disruptions for employees and their families, but emphasized the agency’s commitment to making the process as smooth as possible. She expressed hope that employees would choose to remain with USDA during this transformation.
The reorganization includes a plan to cut back on regional office management layers and consolidate functions. Agencies under USDA, such as the Forest Service and the Agricultural Research Service, are expected to reduce the number of regional offices as part of these updates. Despite these changes, the USDA insists that critical functions will remain uninterrupted during this transition.
In a note of concern, Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, voiced apprehension regarding potential job losses within USDA, particularly in light of the shutdown of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, hailed for its impactful research.
While these developments signal a significant change in USDA’s operational approach, they also represent an opportunity for the agency to realign its priorities and enhance service delivery to American communities. The USDA’s plan, if executed effectively, could foster greater engagement and responsiveness in rural and agricultural areas, positioning the agency to better meet the needs of those it serves.