USDA to Relocate ERS and NIFA, Realign ERS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its intent to relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to a location(s) outside of Washington D.C. by the end of 2019. The new location(s) has not been determined. The move is a part of a broader reorganization effort at the USDA and will impact as many as 700 employees, primarily scientists and economic researchers, about 400 at NIFA and 300 at ERS. Plans indicate that employees who decide to move from their current locations in the Washington, DC area will receive relocation assistance and the same base pay. Additionally, USDA is also seeking approval from the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget to offer voluntary early retirements and voluntary separation incentives. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue argues that the plan is a way to save taxpayer dollars and bring ERS and NIFA employees closer to the rural stakeholders that they serve. He said, “We’ve seen significant turnover in these positions; it has been difficult to recruit employees to the Washington, D.C., area, particularly given the high cost of living and long commutes.” Secretary Perdue also announced that ERS, currently under the Research, Education, and Economics mission area, will be moved to the Office of the Chief Economist, under the supervision of an undersecretary, who reports directly to the Agriculture Secretary. ̶...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news