Hagel, Heineman Send Letter to Johanns About FSA Closure Plans

Letter

Hagel, Heineman Send Letter to Johanns About FSA Closure Plans

U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman sent a letter today to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns requesting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture reconsider the closure of Farm Service Agency offices in Nebraska under the FSA Tomorrow plan.

Attached is the letter sent to Johanns.

October 18, 2005

The Honorable Mike Johanns
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

We respectfully request that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reconsider the closure of Farm Service Agency offices in Nebraska under the FSA Tomorrow plan.

Farmers and ranchers from across Nebraska have contacted our offices to express their concerns about these closures. We cannot support a plan that will undoubtedly burden agriculture producers, who must regularly work with the FSA office in support of their operations. While the opportunity to conduct business via the Internet may eventually reduce the need for some face-to-face visits, we do not believe this is a viable alternative at this time.

Again, we ask that USDA reconsider its plan to close FSA offices in Nebraska under the FSA Tomorrow proposal. We look forward to working with you and agriculture groups to develop a comprehensive plan that includes clear goals that will improve FSA service nationwide.

Sincerely,

Chuck Hagel
United States Senator

Dave Heineman
Governor of Nebraska

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