Economic Research Service

The Agriculture Department said it chose the Kansas City region as the new site for the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture headquarters because it would save the agency real estate, staffing and other costs.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the USDA relocation will save government $300 million over 15 years. About 100 employees are expected to move out of the national capital region by Aug. 1.

Employees at the Agriculture Department’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to unionize on the heels of USDA’s proposed relocation.

In today’s Federal Newscast, a bipartisan group in the House Veterans Affairs Committee wants more information about VA’s plans to curb sexual harassment.

Employees at the Economic Research Service (ERS) voted 138 to 4 to join a collective bargaining unit with the American Federation of Government Employees, days after the Agriculture Department further narrowed down its list of possible sites for the relocation of ERS and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

In today’s Federal Newscast, USDA reveals where the agency is looking to relocate the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

While employees await a decision about the department’s plans for the proposed USDA relocation, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced a new initiative designed to better organize workspace in the national capital region.

New retention bonuses for Border Patrol agents who enter into a 12-month service agreement become available in May.

In today’s Federal Newscast, a new federal interagency strategy from the Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, looks to reduce how much food is wasted.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said he expects House Democrats will go along with the proposed USDA relocation when the department releases a final cost benefit analysis.