Support Family Farms, Keep FSA Offices Open Top Democrat Says

Top House Ag Democrat Angie Craig said her farmers claim Farm Service Agency offices are way understaffed, despite USDA Secretary Rollins’ vow to keep all FSA offices open.  Craig was asked if Secretary Rollins could keep all FSA offices open when 11-hundred FSA staffers have taken deferred resignation buyouts.

“I had a group in my office yesterday telling me there’s literally half a PTO, half a person, half-time at one of those offices. I think when farmers come through my office and tell me they can’t get the work done at their local community level, I think that the cuts have gone to the bone.” 

This Is Why You Measure Twice, Cut Once

Secretary Rollins told Ag Appropriators recently that she signed a memorandum to ensure FSA offices that service loans and provide front-line technical help are fully staffed, even if it takes rehiring some staff who took buyouts.  The same for APHIS and wildland firefighters.  Craig argues the administration’s moving too fast to downsize the government.

“If you’re going to support family farmers, you’ve got to support them with good policy. You’ve got to support them with technical assistance. You need to keep these local offices open. And look, this is what happens when you don’t measure twice and cut once.”

USDA is cutting close to 15% of its workforce, or some 15,000 workers who’ve accepted deferred resignations, all part of the president’s larger plan to downsize and reform government agencies and services.

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