The USDA has unveiled a significant reorganization plan, moving over half of its Washington, D.C. workforce to five new regional hubs, including locations in Fort Collins, Raleigh, and Indianapolis. The plan has raised concerns among lawmakers about potential disruptions in service delivery to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Critics argue that the relocation strategy, which includes abandoning nine Forest Service regional offices and consolidating various agency functions, may weaken the effectiveness of agricultural programs, particularly in farming-rich areas like California. Despite these concerns, officials estimate the reorganization will save approximately $4 billion, and some state leaders have expressed optimism about the new opportunities that the regional hubs may create for local agriculture. The move, however, is met with skepticism from both sides of the aisle in Congress, reflecting a divided response to the administration’s controversial restructuring efforts.