Current and former USDA officials are urging the Trump administration to reconsider plans to relocate more than 2,500 employees from Washington, D.C., to regional offices across the country.
During a briefing last week that was hosted by federal union leaders, critics said many employees are expected to leave rather than relocate, raising concerns about staffing levels and the department’s ability to carry out key responsibilities.
Former Acting Agriculture Secretary Kevin Shea warned the move could affect USDA’s work in areas such as animal and plant health, food safety, and forest management, saying an experienced workforce is essential to those missions.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the reorganization one year ago, with regional hubs planned for North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah.
USDA says the restructuring is intended to move more employees closer to the farmers, ranchers and rural communities they serve.
