'A complete shock': Economists stunned by USDA's decision to move economic research arm

Staff members at USDA’s Economic Research Service were blindsided by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s decision to move the agency out of Washington, and agricultural economists are concerned the department's economic research arm could be weakened by the changes.The news was particularly hard on officials with families who have settled in the Washington area, despite USDA's assurances that staffers will be offered relocation assistance and the same base pay they were earning while in Washington. The department's announcement also said every ERS and NIFA employee will have the opportunity to continue working for the agencies, but most will have to relocate once new locations for the agencies are chosen. USDA has said the agencies may be co-located or located separately.Beyond the lack of advance notice, USDA workers and the legions of economists and researchers throughout the industry who rely on ERS reports and data are worried the move could lower ERS' profile within USDA and make it more susceptible to political influence. Beyond the lack of advance notice, USDA workers and the legions of economists and researchers throughout the industry who rely on ERS reports and data are worried the move could lower ERS' profile within USDA and make it more susceptible to political influence. Still, several employees who spoke to POLITICO on the condition of anonymity were skeptical of the department's explanation for the planned moves.“This all seems like just a way to get people to quit,” said one official.USDA's announcement said the department is seeking authority to offer voluntary early retirement and buy-outs to staffers who decide not to relocate.It was not lost on ERS staff that President Donald Trump’s last budget proposed a 50 percent cut to the agency. Though that recommendation was ignored by Congress, it sent a message to staff that “the administration doesn’t care,” as another person within the agency phrased it.