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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to significantly reduce its operations within Washington, D.C., with plans to relocate staff to three new hubs across the country, as reported by various officials familiar with the situation. This shift is expected to affect thousands of employees currently situated at the USDA headquarters.
While the specific locations of these hubs are yet to be announced, it has been indicated that the USDA will relinquish one of its two headquarters buildings in the capital. The planned changes are part of a larger restructuring strategy that aims to streamline operations by cutting positions deemed unnecessary, a move officials say could result in substantial layoffs.
The exact number of layoffs remains unclear, but estimates suggest that the department might revert to staffing levels comparable to those in fiscal year 2019, potentially leading to a reduction of about 9,000 out of approximately 98,000 employees. Layoff notices could be issued by late April or early May, as reports indicate that the USDA will proportionately contribute to a broader reduction across the federal workforce.
USDA officials have previously hinted at these restructuring efforts during Secretary Brooke Rollins’ initial days in office. “USDA is pursuing an aggressive plan to optimize its workforce,” she noted, emphasizing the goal of reallocating staff to areas that would allow for better engagement with rural communities.
Further elaborating on the upcoming changes, Rollins indicated that while the department strives to enhance efficiency by consolidating operations, uncertainties remain regarding which positions will be retained or relocated. The department aims to eliminate redundancy, particularly by streamlining business support roles and reducing layers of management.
Looking ahead, USDA has informed employees that remote work will no longer be feasible, meaning that anyone who remains with the agency and lives beyond 50 miles of the new hubs will be required to move. This consolidation will see significant reductions in the number of operational leases held by the department, further supporting its goal to minimize its commercial footprint in the D.C. area and beyond.
Some USDA divisions may experience harsher cuts than others. For instance, the National Resources Conservation Service, which expanded its workforce significantly following funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, could face a workforce reduction of up to 23%. This is contingent upon how many employees accept the offered deferred resignations or early retirement incentives.
On a related note, the U.S. Forest Service is looking to streamline its operations by merging its regional offices and potentially consolidating its research stations. This scrutiny of efficiency could likewise lead to the reassignment of its Wildland Fire division into a different governmental department.
As the deadline nears for staff to consider the deferred resignation offers, employees are anxious about the lack of clarity surrounding the upcoming changes. There are indications that the USDA may also offer buyouts of up to $25,000 as part of this restructuring effort. Many employees have expressed concerns about making significant life decisions without sufficient information regarding their future work situations and the locations of the new hubs.
Past relocations have shown that such transitions can have detrimental effects on workforce stability and productivity. In 2019, the relocation of the USDA’s Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City was met with significant resistance, ultimately leading to a drastic decline in staff and operational effectiveness. The current plans may face similar backlash unless handled with greater transparency and support.
To date, USDA has not confirmed whether it will extend relocation assistance to employees impacted by this latest wave of restructuring. As the details continue to unfold in the coming weeks, USDA employees are bracing for substantial changes ahead.
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