Help is on the way for farmers with existing loans and tax paperwork, Polticio's Liz Crampton reports in USDA reopens many field offices for 3 days to help farmers amid shutdown.
The services offered on Jan. 17, 18 and 22 are very limited. Crampton notes:
The furloughed employees will temporarily return to also help farmers process payments made before the end of 2018, continue expired financing statements and open mail to "identify priority items." . . .
FSA staff will not, however, be able to resume the entirety of its business, such as its work granting new loans, processing applications to participate in dairy programs and reviewing requests for trade aid payments.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture sent out the following press release about the temporary re-opening:
As part of the Walz-Flanagan administration’s action plan to protect Minnesotans during the federal government shutdown, Minnesota farmers who are experiencing setbacks due to the shutdown are encouraged to seek assistance from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). While the USDA did announce today that Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices will temporarily reopen January 17, 18, and 22, some farmers may still be in need of additional resources heading into the spring planting season.
“I’m pleased that the FSA offices will reopen for a few days to help farmers get their existing loans processed,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “FSA is an important federal partner and provides critical services to farmers. My understanding is that the FSA staff will be available to assist farmers with existing farm loans.”
Petersen encourages Minnesota farmers to contact their local FSA office immediately during this temporary reopening. He also reminds farmers who may be in need of financial assistance or other resources to consider these programs offered by the MDA:
- Rural Finance Authority low interest loan programs. Contact Ryan Roles at 651-201-6666, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/agfinance
- Farm Advocate Program for farmers needing one-on-one financial advice or other assistance. Contact Matt McDevitt at 651-201-6311, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/
farmadvocates. - Farm and Rural Helpline for farmers and their families that are coping with stress. Call 833-600-2670, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/about/
mnfarmerstress.
Earlier this week, a friendly Soil and Water Board commissioner from a Southern Minnesota county called to let us know that the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices remain open.
Bluestem contacted the Minnesota state office and discovered that this is indeed the case. A staffer at the office said that the NRCS had already been funded and so remains open. The service "offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner."
South Dakota's state NRCS office webpage can be viewed here.
List of FSA offices open in Minnesota and South Dakota
The FSA offices open in Minnesota and South Dakota are listed in these screenshots from a larger pdf of listings sent out by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture:
Photo: A Minnesota farm.
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