Hinson Solves USDA Issue Hurting Iowa Farmers

Washington, D.C. - Last week, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and the Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reconsider its decision to require all USDA offices to operate at a maximum of 25 percent capacity. Following the letter, the USDA granted a waiver to Farm Service Agency offices in Iowa, allowing them to double their operating capacity.

“With county FSA offices downgraded to a maximum operating capacity of 25 percent, local farmers were being sent to voicemail instead of receiving backlogged Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments and other resources they need. This was unacceptable, especially because the county offices had previously been safely working at capacities they deemed responsible and effective to carry out their essential duties. I am glad the USDA will now allow FSA offices to double their operating capacity so that they can carry out their mission critical work of supporting our farmers through these challenging times."-Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

 

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