Agency plans to relocate staff to regional hubs starting this summer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving forward with a major reorganization plan that will relocate employees from Washington, D.C. to five regional hubs across the country. The transition is expected to begin this summer as part of an effort to better manage resources and improve service to rural communities.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden discussed the plan at a recent event, explaining that rising costs in Washington and tighter budgets have made it harder for employees to maintain a good quality of life. He said relocating staff closer to rural areas would better align the department’s workforce with its mission of serving farmers and agricultural communities. According to department leadership, the move is intended to place employees nearer to the people and regions they support.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins first announced the reorganization nearly a year ago. The department later opened the proposal to public comment. Industry sources reported that more than 14,000 comments were submitted, with most opposing the relocation of USDA employees away from the Washington, D.C. area.
Some agriculture organizations have raised concerns about the impact of the move. Groups based in Washington noted that having fewer USDA employees in the capital could make it harder to coordinate with lawmakers, federal agencies, and foreign embassies. These interactions are often important for policy development, funding decisions, and international trade discussions. Critics also pointed out that many USDA employees already work in field offices and are close to the farmers they serve.
At the same time, agriculture groups have acknowledged potential benefits of reorganization. They support efforts to reduce duplication, manage spending responsibly, and make better use of personnel and facilities. However, they have urged USDA to carefully study the long-term impacts before fully implementing the changes.
Concerns are influenced by past experiences. During President Trump’s first term, USDA relocated two major agencies to Kansas City. That move led to many employees choosing not to relocate, which limited the agencies’ ability to perform their duties effectively.
As USDA moves ahead, industry groups are calling for a thoughtful and balanced approach. They stress the importance of ensuring that changes strengthen, rather than weaken, the department’s ability to support farmers and the broader U.S. agriculture industry over the long term.
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