Thousands of USDA staff to be moved out of Washington, aiming to consolidate numerous offices across the country

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a significant reorganization plan, which is set to impact thousands of its employees. The changes aim to streamline the department's structure and reduce its workforce, particularly in the Washington area.

The reorganization includes the establishment of five regional hubs in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. The Agriculture Department's current 12 regional offices will be consolidated, with the National Agricultural Statistics Services reducing from 12 to 5 offices, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service aligning to the new hubs.

The department's Agricultural Research Service will eliminate its area offices, while the Food and Nutrition Service will cut two of its seven regional offices and move the remaining ones to the hubs over the next two years. The Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Forest Service are also phasing out their nine regional offices and four of their five Research Stations, respectively.

The deferred resignation program, which allowed employees to be on paid leave for several months before resigning, has created vacancies from local offices to the highest levels within the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Employees focusing on communications, finance, budget, human resources, lease administration, and grants will all be consolidated into a more streamlined structure.

The department's civil rights office, the Freedom of Information Act office, and Legislative Affairs functions will be consolidated into other entities. The Agriculture Department has not specified what will happen to employees in consolidated or eliminated offices, but has stated that it will provide updates as the reorganization progresses.

The Agriculture Department has made it clear that it is not conducting a "large-scale workforce reduction," but is shrinking its workforce. It may use mandatory reassignments and layoffs in the process of relocations and consolidations, which will play out over the coming months.

The reorganization news has caused some concern among employees, with one NRCS employee likening the potential reductions in force hinging on relocation acceptance and terminations to the Hunger Games. In a video message to employees, Secretary Tom Vilsack acknowledged that many employees will have to make difficult decisions and promised support during the process.

The Agriculture Department plans to move thousands of employees out of the Washington area, aiming to reduce its workforce in the region from 4,600 to 2,000. However, there is no specific information available about which USDA employees will be affected by planned relocations from Washington or the closure of field offices, nor about the impact on their working conditions and future within the USDA.

The reorganization is part of the Biden administration's efforts to modernize federal agencies and improve efficiency. The Agriculture Department encourages employees to stay informed and seek support during this transition period.

Thousands of USDA staff to be moved out of Washington, aiming to consolidate numerous offices across the country