Trump administration to move parts of FAS to Kansas City, Beltsville
The Trump administration announced Wednesday it plans to move part of the Foreign Agricultural Service to Kansas City, Mo., and many employees to the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Md.
Although Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden told the Senate Agriculture Committee in July 2025 that the Foreign Agricultural Service would remain in Washington, the Trump administration announced Wednesday that FAS “will establish an operational support hub” in Kansas City, Mo., and will begin a “phased relocation of much of its Washington, D.C.-based workforce to this new duty station and to USDA’s George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Md., while a smaller Washington-based contingent will remain in Washington, D.C.”
FAS has more than 100 posts overseas, and its U.S. staff is in the USDA South Building, which the administration intends to turn over to the General Services Administration for other uses. The administration plans to consolidate staff in the Jamie Whitten headquarters building and the Sidney Yates building where the Forest Service is located.
“This modernization effort does not include any reduction in force and focuses entirely on domestic headquarters functions; no overseas staff or diplomatic posts are affected,” the release said.
“Our promise to the American people requires us to make tough but necessary decisions – including ending wasteful spending on underused facilities and modernizing organizational structures that don’t fit today’s needs,” Vaden said in the release. “By acting now, we’re positioning the Foreign Agricultural Service – and the entire department – to continue serving the American people for generations to come.”
“Shifting key support functions to the heartland brings our programs directly to the communities that drive American agriculture,” Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg said in the release. “Modernizing how we do business at home ensures we’re giving our employees the structure, tools, and support they need to meet today’s challenges and continue winning for U.S. agriculture.””Our strength has always come from our people, whether they’re in Washington or around the world,” said FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley. “As we work through this effort, we’re committed to giving our employees the support, clarity, and resources they need to navigate this transition.”
The release continued, “Because Kansas City is part of America’s agricultural heartland, shifting specific FAS program operations and support functions to the region brings both the programs and the employees closer to the farmers, ranchers, producers, and the rural communities they serve.
“FAS will also transition selected mission support positions to USDA’s George Washington Carver Center (GWCC) in Beltsville, Md., where employees will have improved access to consolidated mission support and administrative services.
“A smaller Washington-based contingent – including agency leadership, trade policy, market access negotiations, cooperator programs, and congressional and interagency engagement – will remain in Washington, D.C., to ensure a strong presence for national coordination and trade policy work.
“Any organizational updates or relocations will be phased in over time and in close consultation with affected staff, who will receive any available support throughout the transition.”
–The Hagstrom Report
