Boswell calls on USDA to reconsider office closures

Leonard Boswell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3) today issued a statement on the proposed USDA office closures affecting Iowa.

“Since the initial announcement of the Farm Service Agency office closures, I’ve been consulting with and questioning USDA officials on their consolidation plan. While I understand cuts have to be made, I believe these closures would unfairly impact producers in southern Iowa. These farms have a history of diversity, which the land they work on calls for. The variety of crops and livestock raised in southern Iowa requires local offices to be familiar with a wide variety of programs. For both production and compliance, our farmers deserve reliable access to experts at local FSA offices.

“I am greatly concerned that the criteria used to determine these closures are flawed. I believe that any decision to close these offices must include an assessment of county workload to ensure that the needs of our producers are met and our conservation goals are maintained. Equally important, the USDA needs to consider the impact closures will have on local economies. Iowans know that closing shop in rural America is a lose-lose decision. It is a negative for rural economic development and is not worth the economic pain that these communities will suffer as a result. A proper assessment should be conducted to determine the workload volume of each county and region before any final decisions are made.

“The Secretary of Agriculture has said repeatedly that he wants and will work for rural development. This is not the way to accomplish that. I talked with Secretary Vilsack at length last week and he seems determined to go ahead with the closures. I strongly recommend and urge all concerned citizens in the counties affected to write, e-mail and call the Secretary and explain that you are concerned with the negative implications of these closures.

“Before any final decision is reached, Secretary Vilsack should personally visit these communities, explained his proposed actions and listen to concerned citizens.”