USDA to Vacate Massive DC Office Building as Workforce Shifts to States

The department will transfer its South Building to the General Services Administration as part of a plan to reduce its footprint in the capital region.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture will transfer its large South Building office in Washington, D.C. to the General Services Administration as part of a plan to shrink the department's presence in the capital region. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said more than 70% of offices in the South Building sit empty on any given day, and deferred maintenance costs have exceeded $1 billion. The move is part of a broader USDA reorganization to shift workers out of the D.C. area and expand regional hubs across the country.

Why it matters

The USDA's decision to vacate its massive South Building office in D.C. is a significant step in the department's plan to reduce its footprint in the capital region and shift more of its workforce to regional hubs across the country. This reflects a broader push by the federal government to decentralize operations and bring government services closer to the people they serve.

The details

The USDA will also vacate leased office space in Alexandria, Virginia as part of the reorganization. The department plans to reduce its workforce in D.C., Maryland and Virginia from 4,600 to around 2,000, while expanding regional offices in places like Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City. Workers from the Food and Nutrition Service currently based in Virginia will relocate to D.C.

  • The USDA outlined its plan to shift workers out of the capital region in July 2025.
  • The broader USDA reorganization is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

The players

Brooke Rollins

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Stephen Vaden

Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Joni Ernst

Republican Senator from Iowa who has advocated for shrinking the federal government.

Edward Forst

Administrator of the General Services Administration.

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What they’re saying

“Behind me, along this entire city block in bricks and mortar, is what government that has grown too big, too bloated and too disconnected from its citizens looks like. That all changes starting today, because today we are officially starting the process of turning the South Building back over to the General Services Administration.”

— Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (sourcenm.com)

“Let's just keep on draining the swamp, and, Secretary Rollins, moving our federal workers closer to the people that they represent. And I would say that the great state of Iowa is a good place to start.”

— Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator (sourcenm.com)

What’s next

The General Services Administration will begin a comprehensive process to determine a new use for the USDA's South Building in Washington, D.C., consulting with stakeholders and focusing on economic prosperity for the city.

The takeaway

The USDA's decision to vacate its massive office building in D.C. and shift more of its workforce to regional hubs across the country reflects a broader federal effort to decentralize government operations and bring services closer to the people. This move aims to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen connections between the government and the communities it serves.