USDA officials are continuing with their plans to move the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture offices out of Washington, D.C. Their most recent indication is the funding proposal in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget plan released by the Administration this week. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says his group and others continue to oppose the move.
The USDA’s funding request for moving those offices includes $15.5 million for ERS and $9.5 million for NIFA. Lehman says that’s a terrible waste of money for something that’s not needed or warranted.
He says that the USDA is not taking a very direct approach in attempting to move those offices.
Earlier this month, staff were told USDA plant to keep 76 of the 300 ERS employees in the Washington D.C. region post-relocation. USDA officials also announced they’ve whittled down potential new locations for ERS and NIFA from 136 to 67.
