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Grassley weighs in on USDA reorganization plan

The senior senator from Iowa says USDA should’ve consulted Senate Ag Committee members before announcing its reorganization plan.

Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield, “They wouldn’t have picked Des Moines, Iowa, but I’d like to know why Kansas City was picked over Des Moines, Iowa, because we’re the biggest agriculture state in the nation at least from the standpoint of grain.”

He says there’s not enough information yet to know if the five newly announced hub locations will serve producers effectively. “It’s hard to give you a reaction to it right now. I’d like to know why someplace in North Carolina, some place in Colorado and some place in Utah were specifically selected.”

During a recent committee hearing, Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden said the department will be open to feedback from members.

According to USDA, the five locations were selected based on their central location to ag regions, existing USDA staff, and cost of living.