The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with a major reorganization that will relocate the majority of its Washington, D.C based workforce to five new regional hubs, including Fort Collins, Colorado. The initiative aims to improve efficiency and bring USDA operations closer to farming communities, but it has also sparked concern over potential disruptions and the loss of experienced personnel.
USDA Relocation Plan
Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that approximately 2,600 of the agency’s 4,600 employees currently based in Washington, D.C., will be transferred to regional centers in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. About 2,000 workers will remain in the capital, and some employees are expected to exit the agency through a voluntary separation program.
The department also plans to vacate several underutilized facilities in the Washington area, including the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Officials say these closures will reduce operating costs and eliminate the need for costly maintenance.
Fort Collins Benefits from Relocation
Fort Collins is expected to gain significantly from the relocation. With Colorado State University already serving as a major research institution, the arrival of additional USDA staff is likely to foster stronger collaborations and research opportunities.
“This move opens the door to deep, sustained partnerships in climate-resilient agriculture, soil science, and food systems,” said Dr. Emily Guerrero, a professor at CSU. She noted that students and researchers will benefit from direct access to federal experts and programs.
Local leaders anticipate an economic boost and improved retention of skilled professionals in the region as a result of the expansion.
Workforce Concerns
Despite the benefits for states like Colorado, many USDA employees have expressed reluctance or refusal to relocate. Critics worry the transition could lead to high staff turnover and a decline in the quality of public service. The department’s 2019 relocation of two research agencies resulted in the loss of many experienced employees, reduced productivity, and years of rebuilding.
“There’s a real risk that we’ll hollow out critical expertise just to save money,” said Laura Kim, a former USDA administrator. “These relocations aren’t just about geography they’re about maintaining continuity in service, science, and regulation.”
Projected Savings and Goals
The USDA projects that the reorganization will save approximately $4 billion over the next decade. The department expects to save $1.9 billion through voluntary employee exits and $2.2 billion from avoiding maintenance costs and closing unused facilities.
Officials say the move aligns with broader efforts to reduce federal overhead, minimize bureaucracy, and relocate positions to more affordable regions. However, the human cost of such restructuring remains a concern for many.
A Balancing Act
The USDA believes decentralizing its operations will improve responsiveness to local agricultural needs while streamlining costs. However, some experts warn that removing staff from the D.C. area may hinder coordination with other federal agencies and Congress.
“This could reshape how the USDA operates for decades,” said agricultural policy researcher Martha Ellison. “But whether it’s for better or worse depends on how the department manages the transition and whether it listens to its own workforce.”
As the USDA moves ahead with its plan, communities like Fort Collins prepare for growth, while the agency confronts the challenge of maintaining institutional knowledge and continuity during a time of dramatic change.
