The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to close offices nationwide to cut administrative expenses. Closure of the 259 offices is being called a Blueprint for Stronger Service, which Secretary Tom Vilsack says is necessary to prevent furloughs.

Three Kansas offices are on the list of closures including the Food and Nutrition Service in Wichita, the Food Safety and Inspection Service in Lawrence and the Natural Resource Conservation Service office in Salina.