USDA Orders Over 1 in 3 FAS Workers to Relocate as 4% Say They Will Move
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 20
USDA Orders Over 1 in 3 FAS Workers to Relocate as 4% Say They Will Move
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 20
Summary
More than one-third of Foreign Agricultural Service staff were told Friday to relocate, with union leaders warning the move could gut the agency’s trade and food-aid operations.
A survey found only 4% of employees would move to Kansas City, the main reassignment hub, raising fears that Food for Peace and embassy support work will be left to skeletal staffing in Washington.
USDA employees in research and food safety units also predict heavy attrition, and outside experts urged Secretary Brooke Rollins to pause a lab move from Beltsville, citing likely losses of specialized expertise.
USDA disputes that the overhaul will disrupt research, but internal 2025 planning documents projected about 23,177 departures — a 23% workforce reduction — as unions and allied groups try to halt the reorganization.