By: Heather Graf
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - One of Tennessee's largest farming communities could
soon be hit by budget cuts. Now, Bedford County farmers are fighting
back to keep what they call, "a great resource."
The local Farm Service Agency Office on East Lane Street is one of 131
across the country that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering
closing.
"It's just the wrong office to close," said cattle farmer Sam
Coats. "And there will be very little cost savings to the
USDA."
Coats and nearly 200 other farmers showed up at a public hearing on Friday
to express their opposition to the proposal. They say statistics prove
their local FSA office is desperately needed. Bedford County currently
has the largest agricultural income in the state.
If the Bedford County FSA office closes, it would be consolidated with the
FSA office in Marshall County. That means a nearly 50-mile commute
roundtrip for local farmers each time they need to fill out paperwork at the
FSA.
"It'll put a lot more strain on us here, going 23 miles every trip, just
one way," said Coats' son. "I believe it's a big mistake.
There's a lot more farmers in Bedford County that could use the
assistance."
Gene Davidson, who is the state director for the FSA, says Bedford County's
office is one of nine in Tennessee that are slated to close. He says the
criteria for those closures came from the 2008 farm bill. It says any
office with less than two full-time employees, and within 20 miles from another
office, could be put on the chopping block.
For the USDA, it's a cost-saving measure.
"Nobody opposes the fact that they need to trim their budgets and take
a look at cost savings, but I think the question here is, is this proposed
action really effective?" said Bedford County's extension director, John
Teague.
He says he's heard from dozens of farmers who are worried about the proposed
change.
"It would just be a huge matter of inconvenience, and the farmers are
upset about that," he said.
The FSA Offices in Humphreys, Cannon, and Trousdale Counties are also on the
chopping block.
Farmers who have not yet been able to attend a public hearing on the issue
are invited to send their concerns, in writing, to the USDA Farm Service
Agency, at 579 Federal Building, Nashville, TN, 37203. You have until
Monday, February 6th, to do so.
You can also learn more about the reasons behind the cutbacks, by clicking
here: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=blueprint_for_stronger_service.html.
No word yet on when the final decision on the closures will be made.
email: hgraf@newschannel5.com
