Minnesota Ag Connection - Limited FSAs Open Today; State Resources Available

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Limited FSAs Open Today; State Resources Available
Minnesota Ag Connection - 01/17/2019

As part of the Walz-Flanagan administration's action plan to protect Minnesotans during the federal government shutdown, Minnesota farmers who are experiencing setbacks due to the shutdown are encouraged to seek assistance from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). While the USDA did announce Wednesday that Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices will temporarily reopen Jan. 17, 18, and 22, some farmers may still be in need of additional resources heading into the spring planting season.

"I'm pleased that the FSA offices will reopen for a few days to help farmers get their existing loans processed," said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. "FSA is an important federal partner and provides critical services to farmers. My understanding is that the FSA staff will be available to assist farmers with existing farm loans."

Petersen encourages Minnesota farmers to contact their local FSA office immediately during this temporary reopening. He also reminds farmers who may be in need of financial assistance or other resources to consider these programs offered by the MDA:

- Rural Finance Authority low interest loan programs. Contact Ryan Roles at 651-201-6666, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/agfinance

- Farm Advocate Program for farmers needing one-on-one financial advice or other assistance. Contact Matt McDevitt at 651-201-6311, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/farmadvocates.

- Farm and Rural Helpline for farmers and their families that are coping with stress. Call 833-600-2670, or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress.

While FSA staff are available in person during this three-day window, most available services can be handled over the phone. Producers can begin contacting staff on Jan. 17.

Additionally, farmers who have loan deadlines during the lapse in funding do not need to make payments until the government shutdown ends.

Reopened FSA offices will only be able to provide the specifically identified services while open during this limited time. Services that will not be available include, but are not limited to:

- New direct or facility loans.

- New Farm loan guarantees.

- New marketing assistance loans.

- New applications for Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

- Certification of 2018 production for MFP payments.

- Dairy Margin Protection Program.

- Disaster assistance programs, such as:

o Livestock Indemnity Program.

o Emergency Conservation Program.

o Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program.

o Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

o Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish.

While Jan. 15 had been the original deadline for producers to apply for MFP, farmers have been unable to apply since December 28, 2018, when FSA offices closed because of the lapse in federal funding. Perdue has extended the MFP application deadline for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices end up being closed, once the government shutdown ends. These announced days of limited staff availability during the shutdown will not constitute days open in calculating the extension. Producers who already applied for MFP and certified their 2018 production by December 28, 2018 should have already received their payments.

More information on MFP is available at www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp.

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