The Trump administration unveiled a sweeping restructuring plan for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposing significant reductions and relocations that immediately sparked concern among federal workers represented by AFGE.
The plan notably includes shutting down the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, renowned as a cornerstone of groundbreaking agricultural research. This closure underscores broader intentions to drastically scale back federal government presence in the Washington, D.C. region.
In response, AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued a strong rebuke:
“About 85% of all federal employees already work outside the nation’s capital, and within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that figure is closer to 95%. But D.C. is the center of our nation’s government for a reason, as it facilitates needed coordination between senior leadership and field offices and ensures agencies are at the seat of the table when decisions are made at the White House and in Congress. This administration is moving at breakneck speed to slash the size of the federal government, often with little thought into the consequences this will have on the American people who rely on the services our members deliver. As just one example, the plan calls for shutting down the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, which has been the crown jewel of the agency’s award-winning research into improving our agricultural practices. I’m concerned this reorganization is just the latest attempt to eliminate USDA workers and minimize their critical work.”
AFGE members at USDA have expressed deep frustration and uncertainty regarding the impact of the restructuring on their ability to effectively carry out their mission. The union is committed to opposing measures that threaten essential public services and the jobs of those who provide them.
"These decisions don't just affect workers," said Kelley. "They affect every American who relies on USDA's expertise to maintain food safety, support farmers, and drive innovation in agriculture. AFGE will continue to fight back against shortsighted cuts and defend the vital public service our members provide every day."
Following the announcement, the Maryland Delegation issued a statement:
“The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is the foundation of our country’s excellence in agricultural research, with its scientists working for more than 100 years on the front lines of protecting public health and supporting farmers and farming across the country. Shuttering BARC and uprooting its workforce will undercut its critical mission, endanger public safety, and unnecessarily waste taxpayer dollars. Clearly, the Trump Administration has not thought through the costs or consequences of this misguided decision. Congress and the courts must act swiftly to block this illegal and harmful reorganization and ensure BARC remains intact. The law demands it, and our farmers depend on it.”
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