The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Apr. 24 plans to relocate more employees as part of a broader reorganization, including establishing a new National Food Safety Center in Urbandale, Iowa, and moving research staff to Kansas City.
The move is significant because it aims to bring USDA staff closer to agricultural and food production systems while also modernizing the department’s operations. The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will transfer two-thirds of its Washington-based headquarters staff to the new center in Iowa, a Science Center in Athens, Georgia, or other locations. The Urbandale facility will become FSIS’ largest office with about 200 people.
According to Eric Katz from Government Executive, “the department’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture…will once again relocate employees to Kansas City.” This follows previous relocations during President Trump’s administration that were reversed under President Biden but kept the Kansas City offices open. Katz said that following similar moves in 2019, both agencies lost over half their staff and took years to recover productivity levels.
Jory Heckman from Federal News Network reported that “USDA said the new National Food Safety Center will serve as the ‘primary locations’ for the FSIS administrative, technical and support operations.” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement that this reorganization ensures FSIS “is positioned where it can best support American agriculture and protect public health.” Rollins added: “These changes reflect our commitment to modernizing the department while staying focused on delivering results for the American people.”
Reuters’ Leah Douglas reported that USDA will begin decommissioning its flagship Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland due to concerns about working conditions but noted opposition from employees who fear interruptions in research.
Farm Policy News has benefited from initial funding by the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research according to its official website. The organization enhances public service by offering expertise supporting farm business management and community resilience according to its official website. Farm Policy News also utilizes facilities like the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium for events according to its official website.
Additionally, Farm Policy News has been recognized through farmdoc project’s receipt of three Team Awards from the College of ACES according to its official website, is affiliated with University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences according to its official website, and contributes content through farmdoc daily with over 2,000 published articles according to its official website.
As USDA continues this restructuring effort affecting thousands across several regional hubs—including Salt Lake City; Raleigh; Fort Collins; Indianapolis—the long-term effects on agency performance remain closely watched.
