The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a major reorganization that will close 259 domestic offices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA’s Blueprint for Stronger Service Jan. 9 and emphasized that the reorganization is an attempt to streamline and cut costs, while maintaining services.
No employees will lose their jobs in the reorganization, but more than 7,000 USDA employees have announced plans to retire in the past 15 months, and most of those positions will be eliminated or subject to a hiring freeze.
When fully implemented, the office closures along with other administrative changes will provide efficiencies valued at about $150 million annually. USDA efforts to close offices have been met with strong congressional opposition in the past and have often been overturned.
However, this announcement comes on the heels of recent budget cuts and the likelihood of continued cuts in the future. Since 2010, Congress has reduced USDA’s discretionary operating budget by more than $3 billion — a roughly 12 percent cut.
The 2008 Farm Bill stipulated the criteria necessary to close an office. Therefore, many of the office closures have the blessing of Congress, because they have a very small staff of one or two people, and are often within 20 miles of other USDA offices. Public hearings will be held in the locations where Farm Service Agency offices will be closed.
These actions and plans to close or consolidate facility, office and lab operations will affect USDA headquarters in Washington and in 46 states. Impacts include:
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Farm Service Agency (FSA): consolidate 131 county offices in 32 states; more than 2,100 FSA offices remain throughout the U.S.
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Rural Development (RD): close 43 area and suboffices in 17 states and U.S. territories; approximately 450 RD offices remain throughout the U.S.
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Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): close two country offices; more than 95 FAS offices remain throughout the world
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): close 15 APHIS offices in 11 states and 5 APHIS offices in five foreign countries; more than 560 APHIS offices remain throughout the U.S., and 55 remain throughout the world
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): close 24 soil survey offices in 21 states; more than 2,800 NRCS offices remain throughout the U.S.
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Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): close five district offices in five states; 10 district offices remain throughout the U.S.
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Agricultural Research Service (ARS): close 12 programs at 10 locations; more than 240 programs remain throughout the U.S., and
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Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS): close 31 field offices in 28 states; 32 FNCS offices will remain throughout the U.S.