Limited Service at Open County FSA Offices

There will be a few County Farm Service Agency offices in Minnesota open today and again next Tuesday. In our immediate listening area. They include Blue Earth County in Mankato, Olmsted County in Rochester and Fillmore County in Preston. However, there will be limits on what FSA staff can do until the shutdown is over.

If you have not already signed up for the Market Facilitation program you will have to wait until the shutdown is over. The deadline to do that has been extended so you will be able to sign up whenever the shutdown is over. In addition if you planned on getting a CCC loan on your corn and beans in storage you cannot do that either. FSA staff will not be able to take new loan applications.

As I understand the process, FSA staff will be trying to process loans that have been started and respond to farmers needs as best as they can. They will also be processing 1099's for income taxes. I know many dairy farmers enrolled in the Margin Management program are expecting a payment. I do not know if FSA staff will be able to make the payments. The best advice would be if you have questions call one of the FSA offices that are open.