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November 6, 2007

Local agriculture office on chopping block

By Rich Flowers

The Henderson County office of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Athens, remains on a list of those that may be closed.

Texas is currently in a two- part streamlining initiative that is paring down the number of agency offices. The Freestone County office in Fairfield was one of 13 closed in late October with customers of that office directed to take their business to Limestone County.

FSA Regional Public Affairs Director Brenda Carlson said the fate of the Henderson County office has not been determined, but closure is still a possibility.

“When U.S.D.A. Secretary Michael Johanns resigned and acting Secretary Charles Conner was appointed, at that time Henderson County was still being considered. As far as Farm Service Agency is concerned, it is, in fact, still being considered by the office of the secretary,” Carlson said.

Several meetings have been conducted in various Texas cities this year concerning the possible closings. A few Henderson County Farm and Ranch owners made the trip to Canton in June. Of the 100 who attended, John Reeves, who serves as director for both counties, estimated there were about eight from Henderson County.

Carlson said no more public meetings have been scheduled regarding closing the Henderson County FSA office.

Executive director John T. Fuston said in May, a tightening of the federal budget and other constraints have required a “re-evaluation of the way the Agency conducts business” thereby necessitating closure or consolidation of FSA county offices throughout the U.S. and in Texas.

“Government agencies are becoming increasingly obligated to reconsider how we conduct business and to take a hard look at how the private sector has improved delivery of goods and services through consolidations and mergers,” said Fuston.

The Farm Service Agency administers and manages farm commodities, credit, conservation and loan programs through its offices on the federal, state and county levels, according to information from the office in College Station.

Carlson reminded Henderson County agriculturists the election of county FSA committee members is underway. Ballots were mailed to the eligible voters Nov. 2. They must be completed and returned by Dec. 3. The ballots will be counted and those elected will be named in early 2008. There are 7,000 committee members serving on 2,000 county committees nationwide. The current county committee members are James Herrington, Vernon Myers and Delbert Crawford.

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