USDA Plans Major Relocation of Workers in Washington Area

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to significantly reduce its workforce in the Washington, DC, area and relocate a substantial number of employees to offices across the country. This move is aimed at cutting costs and decentralizing the department's operations. According to the plan, the USDA will slash more than 50% of its jobs in the Washington metropolitan area. The affected employees will be offered the option to either relocate to one of the new office locations or accept voluntary buyouts. The USDA cites the need to optimize its operations and reduce overhead costs as the primary reasons for this major restructuring. The relocation will involve employees from various USDA agencies, including the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporters arguing for greater efficiency and cost-savings, while critics raise concerns about the impact on the affected workers and the potential disruption to the department's operations.