News

Report delays expected after USDA relocation

There are reports that the USDA will have to delay the release of some reports because of the loss of staff from the relocation of Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to Kansas City.

The USDA previously set a deadline of September 30 for ERS and NIFA employees to report to Kansas City. 

Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow of Michigan raised concern over the delays in reports and research grants after the administration told Congress the relocation would not impact the work done by the two agencies. 

In a letter to Ag Secretary Perdue, Stabenow said the relocation has left the agencies with little ability to do their work, with more than 75 percent of employees opting not to relocate. 

She says the staffing shortages are also negatively impacting Farm Bill implementation.

House Ag Subcommittee Chairs Marcia Fudge of Ohio and Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands say the reports confirm what Congress and other witnesses have warned: the relocation will hurt the USDA’s ability to provide support to farmers, consumers, and communities.