Gov. Ricketts Applauds Decision to Move USDA Programs from Washington to the Heartland

Statement

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following an announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would move two key programs from Washington, D.C. to the Kansas City area. The programs are the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

"The decision by Secretary Perdue to move these programs from Washington to the Heartland sends an important message to the people served by the USDA," said Governor Ricketts. "Agriculture is the backbone of our country. When these programs are closer to their customers, the USDA will be able to better serve the farmers and ranchers who feed the world.

"I urge the USDA and all federal agencies to look for opportunities to move programs out of the Washington Beltway and closer to the people they serve across the country."

Source