Oklahoma Farm Bureau today praises U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for his work to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers by reopening Farm Service Agency offices across Oklahoma.
Secretary Perdue today announced in a press release that all FSA offices nationwide will reopen on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 24 to provide additional services to farmers and ranchers during the government shutdown.
“The FSA provides vital support for farmers and ranchers and they count on those services being available,” Perdue said. “We want to offer as much assistance as possible until the government shutdown is resolved.”
From Jan. 28 through Feb. 1 and Feb. 4 through Feb. 8, FSA offices will be open Mondays through Fridays. In subsequent weeks, offices will open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Agricultural producers can contact their local FSA service center to make an appointment.
Perdue also announced that farmers affected by trade tariffs may apply for Market Facilitation Program through Feb. 14, rather than the original Jan. 15 deadline. The reopening also will allow FSA staff to work on Wildlife Indemnity Program payments for applications that have already been processed.
Find more information about the reopening of FSA offices in the USDA press release.