Farm Service Agency office in Union County under consideration for closing

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Jan. 9 the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country. The proposed closings include four offices in Iowa, three of which are Farm Service Agency offices in Appanoose, Decatur and Union counties, and a Natural Resource Conservation Service office in Jefferson county.

According to Matt Herrick, Communications Coordinator for the USDA, none of the employees effected by these closings will lose their jobs.

“The three FSA offices in Iowa have a combined seven employees and that one in Union county has two,” Herrick explained. “All of the employees effected by our announcement will be given the opportunity to stay in the department. They will move that business to any of a number of nearby offices either in Adair, Clarke, Ringgold or Adams counties.”

Herrick said he did not expect the closings to discourage farmers from Union County from using the FSA’s services, noting that the next nearest service center is less than 20 minutes away.

“In some cases for producers, we understand we’re talking about longer drives,” Herrick said. “We are hopeful it won’t produce any longer waits. Our ultimate goal here is to ensure we’re making the best use of our employees, and providing the best results for our customers.”

Technology

The USDA expects improved technology to make it easier for farmers to use its services.

“We invested a lot in our technology and infrastrutcture,” Herrick said. “Some of the things done at county offices can now be done online.”

Vilsack said the department is updating its computer software, which has been in place since the 1980s. Instead of traveling to county service stations, farmers will now be able to complete much of the paperwork and applications online from home, which Vilsack hopes will ease the loss of the offices proposed to close.

An USDA press release stated “technology improvements, advanced service centers, and broadband service have reduced some need for brick and mortar facilities.”

Public meeting

The USDA will take public comments on the proposed office closings prior to a final decision being made.

An USDA press release states “All public comments will be taken into full consideration prior to development or implementation of a final consolidation plan.”

A public meeting regarding the proposed closing of the Union County office has been scheduled for 1 p.m., Feb. 2, at Southwestern Community College, Instructional Center Room 220.

Producers unable to attend the meeting can provide comments by emailing dennis.olson@ia.usda.gov, or by mailing comments to John R. Whitaker, State Executive Director, Iowa State FSA Office, 10500 Buena Vista Court, Des Moines, Iowa 50322 no later than Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

“The public meeting will be held, and farmers and ranchers who will be affected can give their opinions,” Herrick said. “We will gather those comments, and they will be sent to our main headquarters in Washington, D.C.”