Thursday, May 05, 2011

Farm Service Agency's local-office employees suggest ways to save during an era of cuts

The National Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees is proposing cost-saving measures for the Department of Agriculture. "NASCOE believes Congress can find cost-saving measures in program delivery by eliminating duplication of services and calling on FSA to utilize the county-committee and the county-office employees to deliver these programs," NASCOE said in a March briefing paper obtained by Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter.

For example, NASCOE suggested FSA be made the sole collection agency for crop and production reporting by farmers and ranchers, Agri-Pulse reports. The recommendations come as FSA "field offices are being asked to limit employee travel, rely more on digital imagery and email, and find low or no-cost options to publicize program and payment eligibility requirements . . . to reduce the cost of administering farm programs."

Acting Administrator Carolyn Cooksie recommended that state FSA offices "carefully review where these recommendations can be implemented as FSA continues to address the current budget situation," which will result in fewer compliance checks and farm inspection. Agri-Pulse is subscription-only, but offers a free, four-issue trial subscription.

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