DeSoto officials decry closing of Farm Service Agency office
DeSoto County officials and U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss., expressed dismay with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to go ahead with the consolidation of 125 Farm Service Agency offices, including the county’s FSA office in Hernando.
“We’re disappointed with the decision, which was made in Washington after we filed a formal request that USDA not do this,” Supervisor Mark Gardner said Wednesday of the announcement. “We submitted the facts supporting keeping our office, and they still decided otherwise. This closing will inconvenience the many agricultural producers we have in this county.”
The nationwide shifts are consistent with a deficit-cutting move designed to trim $150 million annually from USDA’s $145 billion budget. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told Congress on Feb. 27 that USDA intended to proceed in 90 days.
Commercial Appeal
5/31/12
Magnolia Tribune
