Stillwater NewsPress

Local News

January 21, 2012

Hearing to be held following closure of Pawnee Farm Services Agency office

By Ricky O'Bannon robannon@stwnewspress.com

PAWNEE, Okla. — Local farm producers wanting to weigh in on a plan to close the Pawnee Farm Services Agency office will get their chance later this month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would consolidate 131 FSA offices nationally, including two in Pawnee and Mayes County.

“The USDA, like families and businesses across the country, cannot continue to operate like we did 50 years ago,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said following the announcement. “We must innovate, modernize and be better stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

Francie Tolle, USDA FSA program state executive director, said the Pawnee FSA office location shared a building with the National Resources Conservation Service, which would remain if the FSA closes.

Tolle also said the Pawnee FSA office was vacant because of several recent retirements — part of the consideration process for what offices were selected for consolidation. Once the Pawnee office closes, she has said Pawnee County farm producers can still seek services at the Noble County USDA office in Perry. Producers also have the option of using the Payne County office in Stillwater or the Osage County in Pawhuska.

“I stress that these consolidations are proposed, and final decisions will not be made until after the public hearings,” Tolle said.

The public hearing will take place 1:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Pawnee County Fairgrounds, 210 West Memorial in Pawnee.

Producers can also send written comments to Francie Tolle, Oklahoma FSA State Office, 100 USDA Suite 102, Stillwater, OK 74074. All comments must be received no later than Feb. 10.

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