July 24, 2025
USDA implements RIF forcing 2,600 relocations under reorganization
USDA forces 2,600 DC workers to relocate or resign without severance
🚜Agriculture👷Labor
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced July 24, 2025 that USDA will relocate 2,600 of its 4,600 Washington-based employees to five regional hubs in Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, and North Carolina. The department will shutter its historic Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and eliminate multiple regional offices while 15,364 employees have already accepted "voluntary" retirement buyouts. Union leaders call it a ploy to force resignations without paying severance.
USDA will relocate 2,600 of 4,600 Washington employees to five regional hubs on July 24, 2025
Regional hubs in Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, and North Carolina
Historic Beltsville Agricultural Research Center will be shuttered after 115 years
15,364 employees already accepted "voluntary" retirement buyouts
95% of USDA already works outside DC—move targets coordination staff
Employees who refuse moves get terminated "for cause," losing retirement benefits
Union leaders call it ploy to force resignations without paying severance
🚜Agriculture👷Labor
People, bills, and sources
What You Can Do
1
File FOIA requests at USDA.gov for relocation data and targeted positions
2
Contact AFGE union at afge.org to support federal worker rights
3
Document which critical research programs will be eliminated
4
Contact House Agriculture Committee at 202-225-2171 about impacts
5
Monitor food security research losses from Beltsville closure
6
Support affected employees through Federal Employee Defense Fund