USDA closing 259 rural offices

SALT LAKE CITY —  The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that the agency would be closing 259 domestic offices, facilities and laboratories across the country — including one Utah office — as well as seven foreign offices.

While no USDA Rural Development offices in Utah will be affected, one Farmers Service Agency office located in St. George is expected to close.

"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."

The cost-cutting measures come as the agency implements the "Blueprint for Stronger Service," based on a department-wide review of operations conducted as part of the Obama administration's "Campaign to Cut Waste" — an effort to make government work better and more efficiently.

When fully implemented, the changes are expected to provide efficiencies valued at about $150 million annually, a news release stated.

— Jasen LeeTwitter: @JasenLee1