Southern Indiana Today

Leaders from Indiana and the agriculture industry are welcoming the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to move core operations from Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs, including Indianapolis. The announcement is part of a broader federal reorganization aimed at cutting costs and bringing services closer to the communities they serve.

Supporters say relocating USDA functions will lower operational expenses and help direct resources more efficiently to farmers and ranchers in states like Indiana. According to state officials and agriculture groups, this move aligns government programs with producers' needs while reducing bureaucratic overhead.

“I applaud President Trump’s actions to cut government waste and shrink the bureaucracy in D.C. USDA’s offices belong in the communities they serve, and Indiana is proud to welcome the hub. I am thankful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for recognizing Indiana’s strategic importance to American food security and global supply chains,” said Rep. Mark Messmer (IN-08).

Indiana Governor Mike Braun also praised the initiative: “By moving USDA out of D.C. and closer to the men and women who feed, clothe, and fuel America, Secretary Rollins and President Trump are making real change to put farmers first.”

Senator Todd Young called it “exciting news for Hoosiers” that essential USDA services would now be based closer to those working in agriculture rather than remaining centralized in Washington.

“This is huge news for Indiana. I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for recognizing the strength and vision our state and agricultural leaders demonstrated during our meeting last month. This is a win-win for Indiana and taxpayers across the country. It means real economic growth here at home and an agency that’s more efficient and focused on what matters most,” said Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).

Other state leaders noted that hosting a USDA hub could benefit local rural communities by increasing access to innovation resources, supporting economic development, strengthening research partnerships with universities such as Purdue, which is known for its agricultural programs, as well as boosting accountability by placing federal staff closer to their constituents.

Industry representatives highlighted how Indianapolis’ selection recognizes Indiana's leadership in farming sectors ranging from corn, soybeans, poultry, pork, dairy production, hardwood lumber, animal health innovation districts like OneHealth Innovation District spearheaded by companies such as Elanco Animal Health (https://www.elanco.com/), along with support from organizations including Indiana Farm Bureau (https://www.infarmbureau.org/) , Agribusiness Council of Indiana (https://www.inagribiz.org/), Keystone Cooperative (https://www.keystonecoop.com/), Beck's Hybrids (https://www.beckshybrids.com/), American Dairy Association Indiana (https://winnersdrinkmilk.com/), Indiana Corn Growers Association (https://www.incorn.org/growers/about-us/in-corn-growers-association), Indiana Soybean Alliance (https://indianasoybean.com/), Indiana Corn Marketing Council (https://www.incorn.org/checkoff/about-us/in-corn-marketing-council), Indiana State Poultry Association (http://www.inpoultry.com/) , Indiana Pork Producers Association (http://indianapork.org/) , Keystone Cooperative , Beck's Hybrids , American Dairy Association , Hardwood Lumbermens Association .

The shift also reflects efforts by local policymakers such as Rep. Messmer who have advocated for policies bringing federal agencies into greater alignment with regional priorities.

“Government closer to the people can be more responsive and more easily held accountable. It’s encouraging to see real reforms happening at the USDA. Indiana is uniquely positioned to lead in agricultural innovation—and not just as a representative but also as a Hoosier farmer,” said Rep. Victoria Spartz.

The new hub will add Indianapolis alongside four other cities chosen nationwide as sites for redistributed USDA operations.