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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Department of Agriculture Appropriations Bill containing an amendment offered by Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Niles. Ryan's amendment provides expanded opportunities for communities to comment on potential closures of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.

Ryan offered the amendment due to a recent proposal by the Ohio State Farm Service Agency to close and relocate local FSA offices in Trumbull and Portage counties to Ashtabula and Stark, respectively. Ryan contacted the Ohio FSA state office to express his concerns about the potential closures and encouraged the Ohio FSA office to seek input from local farmers who would be affected.

"The bottom line is that we need to have complete information about the needs of family farmers and ranchers before Congress or the department makes radical decisions about FSA personnel levels," Ryan said in a news release. "This process should start at the county committees and involve an office-by-office and regional analysis. Only then can our state FSA offices and the USDA make the best decisions on office closures and relocations. My amendment will help ensure that everyone's voice is heard early enough in the process."

Under current law, communities protesting plans for closure and relocation of local FSA offices may only offer public comment after the U.S. secretary of agriculture approves the proposal of a state Farm Service Agency. Ryan's amendment will allow for a public hearing to take place no later than 30 days before the U.S. secretary of agriculture approves a state's request for closure.

As of press time, the appropriations bill was awaiting Senate approval.

OFBF Director of National Affairs Adam Sharp said Farm Bureau is interested in Ryan’s amendment and wants to learn more about it. "Farm Bureau will stay engaged with the state FSA office per their plans for county offices in Ohio. Farm Bureau supports farmers having the ability to receive timely service and have representation with their county offices," he said.

FSA nominations due
Ohio FSA State Executive Director John Stevenson said FSA is accepting nominations for eligible candidates to serve on the local FSA county committees. The nomination period ends Aug. 1.

Almost anyone participating or cooperating in a local FSA program and of legal voting age may be a candidate. Individuals may nominate themselves or others; voting takes place between Nov. 3 and Dec. 4. More information about the elections, including the nomination form, is available at local FSA offices or at the USDA Web site, www.fsa.usda.gov.

Caption: Rep. Tim Ryan met with Farm Bureau presidents this spring during the County Presidents’ Trip to Washington, D.C. Ryan, second from left, is pictured with Mahoning County President Thomas Koch, Geauga County President Helen Scheuring, Summit County President Glenn Smith and Ashtabula County President David Lee Kellogg.