U.S.D.A. spokesman Matthew Herrick said via e-mail that "Yesterday (Monday), U.S.D.A. received several anonymous messages that are concerning for the safety of personnel and facilities.
“As a precaution, U.S.D.A. has closed offices" in Raleigh, N.C., Fort Collins, Colo.; Hamden, Conn.; Beltsville, Md.; and Kearneysville and Leetown, W.Va.
Details about the nature of the threats were not available.
The locations affected reportedly include offices for eight U.S.D.A. agencies, including the Forest Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service and Agricultural Research Service.
Among the sites affected was the research center and library in Beltsville, Md.
