Kankakee County Farm Bureau issued the following announcement on Jan. 23.
IFB's Adam Nielsen gives the latest on USDA's announcement, including what it means for farmers.
All Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will reopen Thursday and offer a longer list of services than those available during a recent three-day reopening.
In addition, the deadline to apply for the Market Facilitation Program has been extended to Feb. 14. The original deadline had been Jan. 15. Other program deadlines may be modified and will be announced as they are addressed.
From Jan. 28 through Feb. 8, FSA offices will be open Mondays through Fridays. In subsequent weeks, offices will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Farmers who need to conduct business should contact their FSA service center to make an appointment.
FSA staff will assist farmers with the Market Facilitation Program, Marketing Assistance Loans, release of collateral warehouse receipts, Direct and Guaranteed Farm Operating Loans, and Emergency Loans. Staff will further provide service for existing Conservation Reserve Program contracts, the Dairy Margin Protection Program, and Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage.
Assistance will not be available for new Conservation Reserve Program contracts, new Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loans, and the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, among others.
Updates to available services and reopened offices is available at fsa.usda.gov/help/shutdowninfo.
USDA temporarily recalled all of the more than 9,700 FSA employees to keep offices open. President Donald Trump has signed legislation that guarantees employees will receive all back pay missed during the lapse in funding.
Original source can be found here.
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