The Agriculture Department gave way to pressure and announced it will take public comment on its abruptly announced plan to relocate most of its national capital region staff and close some facilities.
Although a public comment period wasn’t initially part of the changes announced July 24, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Friday that the agency wants feedback from the public, farm groups and lawmakers. The comment period will close Aug. 26.
“We value your perspective as we work to ensure that USDA is best positioned to serve America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities,” Rollins said in a news release.
The plan includes relocating about 2,600 of USDA’s 4,600 Washington area staff to five hub locations across the country, cities selected without consultation with Congress or farm organizations — although Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said locations were picked for lower costs of living and proximity to other USDA offices, among other objectives.
