WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country – as well as seven foreign offices – as part of budget cuts required in President Obama’s “Campaign to Cut Waste” announced last June.

The USDA responded with “A Blueprint for Stronger Service,” which it says will strengthen and continue to support agriculture’s economic drive while streamlining costs. “The USDA, like families and businesses across the country, cannot continue to operate like we did 50 years ago,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We must innovate, modernize and be better stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

He made the announcement during his keynote address at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Honolulu on Jan. 9. He upheld agriculture’s contribution to the American economy – providing one in every 12 jobs – and lauded the work of producers, while stating the need to be fiscally responsible. “All of us recognize the fiscal imperative of spending less money,” Vilsack said. “USDA stepped up immediately with a $4 billion savings over 10 years by negotiating a new standard agreement for our crop insurance program. However, more will be required.”

Since 2010, Congress reduced USDA’s discretionary operating budget by more than $3 billion, or roughly 12 percent. Vilsack emphasized current cuts are only in operating budgets and not in programs, which will be addressed in the 2012 farm bill. “We would certainly anticipate further program cuts as Congress basically debates and discusses the farm bill,” he said in a conference call. “It’s important to understand there’s a difference in the operating budget and the program budget.”

Last year, $90 million was saved by reducing travel, supplies and printing costs. Initial budget cuts recommended for all agencies would consolidate more than 700 cell phone plans into about 10; standardize civil rights training and purchases of cyber security products; and move toward more centralized civil rights, human resource, procurement and property management functions.

Vilsack said he didn’t anticipate widespread layoffs, in part because of an early retirement and early separation incentive program which resulted in 4,441 employees leaving the department the first year. In the fiscal year starting September 2011, another 2,529 have taken advantage of the retirement opportunities. “These departures have allowed us the flexibility to eliminate positions or restructure positions to be more relevant to the needs of our customers,” Vilsack said, adding that filled positions are starting at less pay.

Budget reductions, staff attrition and increased workload also necessitated a review of USDA facilities, offices and lab operations across the country. In some cases, offices are no longer staffed or have a small staff of one or two people; many are within 20 miles of other USDA offices. In other cases, technology improvements, advanced service centers and broadband service have reduced some need for brick-and-mortar facilities.

“We will do our best to give every impacted employee an option to move to other locations,” Vilsack said. “With the FSA (Farm Service Agency) offices, our hope is those employees will have the option to move to locations within 20 miles.”

When fully implemented, these closures and other recommended changes will trim about $150 million annually and impact USDA headquarters in Washington and in 46 states. The FSA will consolidate 131 county offices in 32 states; more than 2,100 FSA offices remain throughout the United States. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will close two country offices; more than 95 FAS offices remain throughout the world.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will close 15 offices in 11 states and five offices in five foreign countries; more than 560 APHIS offices remain throughout the United States and 55 remain throughout the world.

Rural Development (RD) will close 43 area and sub offices in 17 states and U.S. territories; approximately 450 RD offices remain throughout the United States. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will close 24 soil survey offices in 21 states; more than 2,800 NRCS offices remain.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will close five district offices in as many states; 10 district offices remain throughout the United States. The Agricultural Research Service will close 12 programs at 10 locations; more than 240 programs remain.

Finally, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS) will close 31 field offices in 28 states; 32 FNCS offices will remain throughout the United States.

The timeline for closures vary. For FSA offices, public hearings are required in counties that are affected, probably within the next 90 days, and offices will likely be consolidated by July. NRCS and APHIS office closures are likely by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, with FSIS closures occurring later in the next fiscal year.