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News from
Rep. Stephanie Herseth
HERSETH STATEMENT ON FSA CONSOLIDATION PLANS March 7, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth responded today to USDA’s plan to consolidate Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in South Dakota. Under the recently announced plan, at least six county offices in South Dakota would be eliminated, requiring producers to travel greater distances to receive necessary services including critical price support, conservation, and disaster programs. Herseth said, “I have serious concerns about the effect this consolidation will have on individual farm and ranch families, especially in some of South Dakota’s most rural counties. I have doubts that the plan will result in substantial savings of taxpayer dollars, but I am sure it will result in increased inconvenience, travel time and cost to producers. Local FSA offices are a lifeline to farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and it is unfortunate that USDA does not fully recognize their value to our state.” Herseth added, “As we are just now beginning debate on a new farm bill, it makes no sense to implement major changes to our FSA county office system at this time. We don’t yet know what the next farm bill will look like and, therefore, we don’t know what the demands on local FSA offices are going to be.” Herseth serves on the House Agriculture Committee and its subcommittees for Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research; and General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. # # # Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. |
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Washington, DC 331 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2801 Fax: (202) 225-5823 |
Sioux
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Rapid
City 343 Quincy Street Rapid City, SD 57702 Phone: (605) 394-5280 Fax: (605) 394-5282 |
Aberdeen 121 Fourth Avenue SW,
Suite 1 |
