FSA Provides Limited Services While Shutdown Continues

January 18, 2019

As the partial government shutdown continues without an end in sight, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that many of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will temporarily reopen on Thursday, January 17, Friday, January 18, and Tuesday, January 22 to perform certain limited services for farmers and ranchers.

FSA offices will be temporarily open to help producers with existing farm loans, 1099 tax documents, continuing expiring financial statements, and processing payments.

“Until Congress sends President Trump an appropriations bill in the form that he will sign, we are doing our best to minimize the impact of the partial federal funding lapse on America’s agricultural producers,” Perdue said. “We are bringing back part of our FSA team to help producers with existing farm loans. Meanwhile, we continue to examine our legal authorities to ensure we are providing services to our customers to the greatest extent possible during the shutdown.”

In addition, Secretary Perdue has extended the deadline for producers to apply for trade assistance under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices have been closed, once the shutdown ends.

The list of FSA Service Centers open for farm loan activities on January 17, 18 and 22 can be found here

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