USDA Relocation Plan and Hiring Goals

A coalition of federal-employee unions, nonprofits and local governments has sued to block the relocations, contending they constitute an illegal downsizing effort. Tom Bewick, vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, warned that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and that “that experience cannot be easily replaced.” Collin Bradley, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3976, cited an internal survey of more than 150 Foreign Agricultural Service employees in which 94 percent said they would quit rather than relocate to Kansas City, predicting “significant attrition.” A Natural Resources Conservation Service employee who received a reassignment notice on Aug. 5 faces a 1,200-mile move with no clear job description and uncertainty about disability accommodations.

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Since the start of the second Trump administration, more than 28,000 USDA employees have separated, largely through voluntary separation incentives, resulting in a net loss of nearly 16,000 staff. USDA expects another 5,000 employees to accept the extended VERA offer; if that target falls short, the department plans to rely on relocations, reassignments and downgrades rather than formal reductions in force. The Forest Service projects a reduction in onboard employees by FY 2026, while the Food and Nutrition Service anticipates hiring only for mission-critical vacancies.

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Unions argue that losing seasoned staff could create critical gaps in grant-program administration, research, and field services. Early-career hires, who will comprise roughly one-third of new permanent hires this year, may lack the expertise needed to replace departing experts, potentially affecting program continuity and effectiveness.

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• “NIFA appears to be aware that the relocation is likely to cause a mass exodus of experienced staff because they have recently implemented new systems to attempt to preserve institutional knowledge,” — Tom Bewick, vice president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403

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• “That experience cannot be easily replaced,” — Tom Bewick, vice president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403

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• “In fact, through workforce optimization initiatives, these organizations may end FY 2026 with reduced employee counts where attrition outpaces gains,” — Under USDA, federal judge

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