Policy Updates: USDA reorganization plan draws overwhelming opposition based on newly released public comment analysis

USDA reorganization plan draws overwhelming opposition in public comments (Farm Policy News): The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently released analysis of public comments on its sweeping reorganization plan shows that a large majority of feedback was negative. USDA proposed relocating about 2,600 Washington, D.C.–based staff to five newly designated regional hubs—Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City—and consolidating many existing offices. In the public comment period that ran from early August through the end of September, USDA received around 47,000 responses (many form letters), and of the roughly 14,000 individual submissions, about 82 % expressed opposition to the plan while just 5 % were supportive. Stakeholders raised concerns that cuts to personnel and resources could diminish service quality, undermine trust, and reduce the agency’s ability to support farmers effectively.

Critics also pointed to a lack of transparency and meaningful consultation during the planning process, warning that losing local expertise and dismantling long-standing offices—such as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center—might hamper critical research and regional responsiveness. USDA’s internal breakdown showed especially strong negative sentiment from current employees and retirees, who emphasized the importance of preserving institutional knowledge and ensuring support for affected staff. Despite the overwhelmingly adverse feedback, agency leadership has indicated the reorganization will continue and expects the majority of the relocations and structural changes to be completed by the end of 2026.