USDA to relocate most DC staff to five regional hubs Critics warn reorg will hurt oversight, research capacity25 July 2025 25 July 2025 3 minute read 3 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North AmericaThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will relocate much of its Washington, DC, workforce to five regional hubs and vacate several buildings in the area, including its flagship research centre, Reuters reported, citing the agency on Thursday. More than 15,000 USDA employees, about 15% of its total workforce, have this year taken one of the agency's two financial incentive offers to leave. No more than 2,000 USDA employees will remain in the Washington area once the reorganization is complete, the agency said in a statement. The phased plan to relocate workers was made to bring USDA staff closer to its "core constituents," Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a video to staff. At the Agricultural Research Service, staff have already struggled to keep up with their workload after the wave of voluntary resignations, said Ethan Roberts, an ARS employee and president of AFGE Local 3247.