Farm agency mulls office hybrid

LOWELL | Lake County farmers don't want to see their Farm Service Agency office in Crown Point closed, and they made that clear Wednesday during a nearly two-hour public hearing.

Many said, however, they'd accept a compromise.

"It's a big deal, but I don't mind consolidation," said Tom Keithley, a West Creek Township farmer.

At issue for many who filled the Lowell Public Library's meeting room is the proposed closure of Lake County's office, but retention of the Porter County one in Valparaiso.

Many farmers approved the notion of closing both and consolidating the management for both counties in a Hebron office.

Julia Wickard, the state executive director for the Farm Service Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the idea is not new.

"We have some areas in the state where two offices were closed and consolidated," she said. At one time, the FSA had 92 offices in Indiana; today it has 78.

While Wickard said the closures have been proposed to be more efficient and cost-effective, one farmer asked, "Why aren't we talking about getting welfare out of the USDA?"

"Good point," Wickard said of including food stamps in the USDA budget. They make up about 70 percent of that budget, she said.

West Creek farmer Dale Peters said, "I'd like to see them put long-term planning into this. Something more than a Band-Aid. ... Where is the five- to 10-year vision?"

He said greater consolidation makes sense, including getting rid of middle management at the FSA.

Wednesday's public meeting was the second of three to be held for the FSA to gather comments to be forwarded to Washington, D.C., where the final decision will be made by the secretary of agriculture.

"All are taken very seriously," Wickard said.

Wickard said the Lowell crowd, about 80 people, was much larger than that in St. Joseph County, where about 30 people showed up.

Those unable to attend or wishing to comment further may forward written comments to Indiana Farm Service Agency, 5981 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN., 46278, to arrive no later than Feb. 11. Emailed comments should be sent to Julia.Wickard@in.usda.gov or Nancy.Best@in.usda.gov.