USDA seeks comments on reorganization plan that is already 95 percent complete

The general public and interested parties have 20 days to provide comments on a reorganization of the USDA, which the agriculture secretary says is already 95 percent done.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins outlined the reorganization plan in a memorandum issued on July 24, 2025. Rollins announced the comment period on Aug. 1.

“As committed, we are continuing to hear stakeholder feedback on the USDA Reorganization. All stakeholders – including Capitol Hill offices, USDA employees, and members of the agricultural community – are encouraged to share their input during the open comment period. We value your perspective as we work to ensure that USDA is best positioned to serve America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities,” said Secretary Rollins.

“We worked six months on that plan. I feel really good about it. If I were to game it, I’d say it’s about 95 percent baked. But always open and willing and excited to get that feedback and I expect a lot more.”

As part of the plan, the USDA will consolidate operations, close the South Building, and relocate approximately 2,600 Washington-based employees to five regional hubs: Raleigh, NC; Kansas City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Collins, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT.

Rollins announced the public comment period on the reorganization, after frustration from allies on Capitol Hill and in the agriculture industry who felt surprised by and left out of the plans.

Deputy USDA Secretary Stephen Vaden has been given the responsibility of selling the concept of the plan. In heated testimony before a Senate committee on July 30 Vaden said President Trump is behind the reorganization and said the plan is merely a vision.

Vaden said USDA would engage in “discussions” with Congress to further refine the vision before issuing “a finalized, phased timeline for the implementation of the secretary’s plan.”

Critics of the reorganization are calling out the administration out for leaving partners out of conversations.

“How do you tell us that you’re trying to improve the service of the agency, that you’re trying to make it work better for farmers and all USDA constituents, if you’re not actually talking to anybody?” said Robert Bonnie, former undersecretary for farm production and conservation during the Biden administration.

The USDA is conducting the reorganization under its authority established in the Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5 USC app.; 7 USC 2201 note) and The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (PL 103-354). 

How to Submit Comments
All stakeholders, including the public, USDA employees, members of Congress, and agricultural and nutrition partners, are encouraged to provide feedback by emailing reorganization@usda.gov. The comment period is open through August 26.