Contact: Mary Halsey, SED Secretary

Phone: 517-324-5110

Email: mary.halsey@mi.usda.gov

FSA Office Consolidations are Part of USDA’s Blueprint for Stronger Service

East Lansing– May 29, 2012— Christine White, Michigan State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), today announced that USDA Secretary Thomas A. Vilsack has approved the closure of one FSA county office in Michigan, a process that will begin immediately. After the required notifications have been provided to producers, FSA employees and office landlords, a closure date will be established and made publicly available.

“FSA places the utmost priority on ensuring that our services to producers remain strong as this consolidation process begins,” said FSA Administrator, Bruce Nelson. The agency will provide farmers and ranchers affected by closures an opportunity to choose the most convenient neighboring county office with which to conduct their future business with the agency. In addition, all employees in a closing office will be provided an opportunity to continue their work with FSA.

As a federal agency, FSA has been affected by widespread budget reductions made by Congress. Since 2011, the Agency has lost 1,230 permanent employees through voluntary early separation and normal retirement. In addition, FSA has been forced to reduce discretionary administrative expenses by over 30 percent in the last fiscal year alone.

The county office confirmed for closure in Michigan is: Kalamazoo

For a complete list of FSA county offices affected by this decision, go to FSA.USDA.Gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).