Local FSA Office Seeks Stand-alone Status
On Sept. 18, the Texas Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) joined the Glasscock County FAC in asking that the National FAC allow the Glasscock County Farm Service Agency (FSA) to remain open as a stand-alone service center.
The county FAC, in its recommendation, noted that the workload of the local FSA office is such that the office was recently upgraded to a size 12, having met all five requirements for the upgrade. In calendar year 2000, the office paid $9 million to eligible producers at an administrative cost of $.02 per dollar issued. In 1999, the office paid producers $12 million with an administrative cost of $.016 per dollar issued. So far in 2001, more than $5 million in payments have been made, plus $134,000 in EQIP funding, $196,000 in ECP allocations and $210,000 in CRP rental payments to be made. The local FSA office administers some eleven programs.
The county FAC stated that transferring this workload to another county office would result in hiring additional personnel to do the work of the local office. In addition, the county FAC said closing the office would create a hardship for producers, who would have to travel long distances for office visits, as well as adversely affecting the local economy.
To date, there has been no word as to when the agency might issue its ruling.