USDA Restructures Research Division to Support Farmers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a reorganization of its Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area, with changes aimed at improving efficiency and better serving farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

The restructuring focuses on aligning research, data and innovation efforts more closely with agricultural communities. USDA said the updated structure is guided by five core principles: strengthening leadership accountability, reducing organizational complexity, ensuring consistency across agencies, leveraging emerging technologies and aligning with USDA priorities.

What This Means for Farmers

The changes are designed to bring research and resources closer to producers, with a focus on delivering practical, science-based solutions while reducing administrative burdens and improving coordination across agencies.

“At USDA, we are putting farmers first,” said Brooke L. Rollins. “This reorganization ensures our research, data, and innovation efforts are focused where they matter most: delivering real results for the men and women who feed, fuel, and clothe this country. By streamlining operations and moving resources closer to the ground, we are making USDA more responsive, more efficient, and better equipped to support American agriculture. This move puts our research institutions outside of the beltway and closer to the land grant universities with talent pipelines who will lead the research and solve the problems facing the future of American agriculture. This is about strengthening our USDA research focus and improving the services the agricultural economy relies on.”

“This is about execution and accountability,” said Stephen A. Vaden. “We are aligning our workforce and infrastructure with the Department’s core mission, reducing unnecessary complexity, and ensuring every function is positioned to deliver results. These changes will strengthen coordination across REE agencies and improve our ability to serve farmers and ranchers efficiently and effectively.”

“Science is most effective when it’s connected to the people and places it’s meant to serve,” said Scott Hutchins. “This effort strengthens our ability to deliver actionable research, trusted data, and innovative solutions by aligning our teams more closely with agricultural producers across the country. It ensures our work remains relevant, responsive, and grounded in the needs of American farmers.”

Agency Relocations and Changes

As part of the reorganization, several USDA agencies will shift positions out of the National Capital Region to locations across the country.

The Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will relocate some positions to Kansas City, including roles previously moved in 2019 that had become dispersed.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will move some positions to St. Louis and other NASS offices while maintaining its field presence for data collection and statistical services.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will begin decommissioning the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Research programs from the facility will be relocated to other locations better aligned with regional agricultural needs. USDA said the move is intended to modernize infrastructure, improve safety and strengthen collaboration between researchers and producers.

Focus on Efficiency and Delivery

USDA said the Office of the Chief Scientist will continue providing scientific leadership, while the REE Business Center will expand support for administrative operations to improve efficiency.

According to the department, the overall goal of the restructuring is to deliver more responsive research, reduce complexity and ensure resources are aligned with the needs of American agriculture.