10/21/05 "FSA Tomorrow" on the shelf today

Several weeks back we told you about USDA's proposal to consolidate Farm Service Agency offices in Idaho and across the nation. Now we're telling you to forget about it. LLOYD "We decided not to pursue that "FSA Tomorrow" approach and timeline." That's USDA spokesman Ed Lloyd. He says USDA has scraped the FSA reorganization plan which called for closing more than 700 of the 21 hundred offices nationwide. Why? How about opposition from ag producers and members of Congress. LLOYD "There was not a consensus in how to approach this at this time. This is something that we deliver so much service through out county office system that we really want to have a good consensus and broad support for any proposal that we put forward so we're going to continue that and look to see how we can achieve consensus and how to insure that we do meet the needs of farmers and ranchers." Idaho FSA state director Wayne Hammon had been told that a dozen of the 35 offices in Idaho needed to be closed and he had already developed a potential list, made up mostly offices that have one or two employees. Savings from consolidation was to be used for new equipment and employee training. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott