Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has announced a proposal
to modernize the Farm Service Agency that entails closing
713 of its 2,351 offices.
“Our FSA state directors are engaging stakeholders, local,
and state congressional leaders to develop proposals that
will help us chart the course for the agency’s future. My
hope is that we can agree on a plan that will make it
possible to invest in equipment, technology and our
employees,” Johanns said.
Senator Jim Talent, R-Mo., has requested a full Senate
Agriculture Committee hearing on USDA’s plan, called FSA
Tomorrow.
“The USDA put the cart before the horse with their FSA
Tomorrow plan. We are very concerned about closing our FSA
offices when there has been little or no consultation with
local offices or our farmers and producer groups,” said
Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Saxby Chambliss,
R-Ga., upon scheduling the hearing for October 20.
