Next phase of USDA reorganization being finalized, Rollins says

The next phase of a planned USDA reorganization will be announced soon, according to U.S. ​Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Rollins said on April 22 that the next step in the reorganization would be announced by the end of the week. Reuters reported that Rollins indicated relocation of researchers would be involved.

USDA has previously said it would move most of its Washington, D.C.-area staff — ​about 2,600 workers — to five regional hubs in ​an effort to bring the workforce closer to farmers.

The next phase, being finalized April 22, will include moving researchers closer ​to land-grant institutions, ‌Rollins ⁠told the agriculture subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

More than 15,000 USDA employees took financial incentives to leave the agency last ​year as part ​of ⁠President Donald Trump’s efforts to reorganize and shrink the federal government.

USDA said in February that it plans ​to sell one of its two headquarters ​buildings ⁠in Washington as part of its reorganization. The agency also recently said it will relocate ⁠the ​Forest Service headquarters from Washington ​to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden testified before a Senate committee about the reorganization last July.