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Farmers, Ag Producers Rally To Keep FSA Office Open In Molino
February 2, 2012
Dozens of Escambia County farmers and producers came together Wednesday in an effort to keep the Molino Farm Services Agency open.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of the office, forcing the farmers to drive to Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning (pictured left) said that on December 23, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
“We all understand that government must be a good steward of our tax money,” Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said. Jones, a timber producer in Escambia County, pointed out that the Escambia County FSA office was the third busiest payment office in the state. “Sometimes you have to weigh those dollars against those that fund it…to put the human factor in it.”
“We are the last in Florida, the last county,” Jones said, “and sometimes we get left out of a lot of things.”
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
Walnut Hill farmer Brett Ward (pictured left), speaking on behalf of the Farm Bureau Board, said it was no secret that the Farm Bureau wants to keep the $16,000 in annual rent flowing. He said that money is returned to the community each year through a variety of community organizations — most dealing with children — like the Northview and Ernest Ward FFA chapters, the Escambia County Extension Service for projects, the Molino Park PTA and Bratt Elementary School.
“The federal government is broke; we all know this,” Ward said. “But we in ag are willing to do our share. But let’s make smart cuts.This is my opinion, in our opinion, is not a smart.”
“Our job to feed and clothe this nation is hard enough,” Ward added. “Do not make it any harder by closing this office.”
“Hopefully the state staff will take to Washington the message that there needs to be a variance for Escambia County,” Jimmy Cunninham, chairman of the county FSA committee, said.
“We have pleaded for assistance,” Charles Woodward of Molino, former director of the Molino FSA office, said. “Can’t we get the people where the work is? We have been given a lot of lip service and we have done with very little.”
“Why aren’t we doing more at the FSA to get more food produced at the local level?” asked James Long. “Where are you going to get your food next week? This bunch right here.”
Mike Godwin of Walnut Hill suggested that perhaps instead of closing the Molino office, the Farm Service Agency should use it as a nationwide model of doing more with less since the number of payments processed per employee is now the highest in the state.
“We understand the impact these decisions have on communities,” State Director Manning said. “You will continue to find that FSA services are accessible and convenient.”
The Farm Service Agency will continue to accept written comments from the public concerning the Molino office closure for 10 days. Comments can be emailed to mark.cotrell@fl.usda.gov or submitted by mail. To download a comment form, click here.
Pictured top: Dozens of farmers and producers packed a meeting about the Molino FSA Office Wednesday morning at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Pictured bottom: The Farm Service Agency rents office space in this, the Farm Bureau Building in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
21 Responses to “Farmers, Ag Producers Rally To Keep FSA Office Open In Molino”
This office serves the area where most of the farming takes place in Esc. Cty. It is a vital part of the north end of the county. Glad to see that Jim Taylor was there. Helps me decide who I will be voting for in Nov. Thank you, Jim. Jeff Miller sending a representive was greatly appreciated also. Rep. Miller, please don’t forget us here in Esc. Cty.
FYI. There is another elected official representative present from the Soil and Water Conservation District, Richard Freisinger. I am able to identify him in the large photo, partially shone on the right side.
My2sense. It is apparent the general public does not understand nor does it
appreciate the struggle of the American farmer to make the operation worthwhile.
Whether one is in sympathy with the farmer is beside the point, however, they are
a very brave breed of people, we have to admit. For many farmers it is a way of
life–the good life–close to the earth type–with lessons for life learned each day!
What is purchased by the consumer is a product that has been successfully
cultivated–harvested–and ready for the market–with a market price that is
equitable for the buyer as well as the farmer who has taken a chance to sink his
hard-earned dollars into a venture that is a gamble, at best.
Farmers apply needed agricultural conservation practices to restrict severe
erosion problems that protect the soil so that silt, pollution, etc. does not reach our waterways! These operations cost dearly.
Regardless of how one feels about the Federal government and its intervention
into ‘handouts’ or ’subsidies,’ if it were not for the agricultural program system available to stabilize the prices and control the over-production, the commodity may not be found on the shelf for our enjoyment and, if so, at a much higher price–but safe to consume!
The small farmers of America need to know they have a price support system
on which they can depend when their crop survives and possibly some partial assistance when disaster arrives.
Look at the whole picture of the United States agricultural possibilities, solutions
for the problems (and they are many) as well as how the nation can best support
itself for tasty, safe food that we offer our family each day. It is a complex task
that cannot be solved by just you and me.
Let’s keep the farmers and the support system. We need them both.
This office is not JUST for farmers. They have all kinds of services that land owners can benefit from. I only have 10 acres but they have helped me on several occasions with various problems/questions. So we all need to be concerned with the closure.
I know for a fact that Jim Taylor contacted Cong. Miller’s office and had them make two phone calls to Mr. Cunningham. In addition, Jim Taylor personally handed a letter to Cong. Miller about this meeting. That is why Cong. Miller sent his top aide, Ms. Santurri, to attend the meeting. She collected as much data from Mr. Cunningham and others as she could, because Cong. Miller is very interested in the plight of the farmers in Escambia County. This also shows the above and beyond efforts of Jim Taylor to help the farmers and anyone else in District 5 that needs his help. It’s very interestng to note that there were no other elected officials or candidates present at this crucial meeting, other than Jim Taylor, Chris Jones (Property Appraiser) and Ms. Bennett (Soil & Water Board).
To contact Congressman Jeff Miller all you need to do is look up “contact congressman Jeff Miller” on the internet. It will give you an opportunity to send an email, call his office, or give you an address to write a letter. He will respond to emails and his office does give him your messages. Make your voices heard…this is what government is about. If you sit silently by complaining no one in government will hear your concerns. Remember the old saying “the squeeky wheel gets the oil”!!!
We need to involve Jeff Miller in this…everyone who wants to needs to send him an email along with the County Commissioners. I am dissappointed that not one County Commissioer was there. Remember that when their elections come up!
GLENN,
Sure wish you would of been at the meeting yesterday to stand up for this office since you are now running for the district 5 seat. The only person I know that was there was Jim Taylor
I was glad to see Jim Taylor at the meeting. He was the only one running for county commissioner district 5 that was there. Thank you Jim for not forgetting us farmers on the north end!!! PLEASE help us keep this office open.
Relying on the Federal Government to help in this matter may seem like a fruitless venture. I suggest looking to Escambia County and find out if there are any locations available in the area that can be used as free office space. The employee’s aren’t going anywhere and the Economy of Escambia County is directly affected. This translates in jobs lost from farmers who have to cut back. This County is struggling enough and we need to work together to make this work for all of us.
Concerning comment from JM; probably Escambia’s office was chosen for closure because Representative Jeff Miller lives in Santa Rosa, County. The meeting went smooth.
Ok, I tried the email to Mark Cotrell, came back as “undeliverable”. I tird downloading the form with 3 differnt browsers…Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader, and PDF. No luck. I cleared the cashe and tried again. No luck. I give up. Guess they will do without my comments and questions.
So the FFA doesn’t use this office to get information? Don’t farmers use it to get new information on new crops, soil content, and soil erosion measures? What about new crops that are just coming on the market? I doubt that all it does is hand outs! I used it to find information on my fruit trees and what types of soil were in this area.
I can remember when farmers were independent and didn’t need government assistance to run their farms.
How often do you have to run to the government for help? If it’s every day, I can understand them wanting to keep the office open. People don’t like to put a lot of effort into getting their handouts. But, if you only need government help a couple of times a year, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to drive 20 miles.
Yes shut it down!! We all need cuts to programs and services like this. Our government is broke!!
Shut it down! The government shouldn’t be in the farming business like that any way. Go back to farming the old way, without government subsidies.
Let those who want it open donate money. Why should everyone be taxed for an office for a few?
We have farmed and never used it’s services.
any county, state, or federal office more than 10 miles north of pensacola are fair game for closure. it started with schools, and county offices. fire em all.
>>>When you click this link it does nothing…brings up a blank page. Just FYI.
It’s a valid link to a pdf. Perhaps something wrong with your pdf viewer. Or, the page actually *is blank* in the middle for comments, so perhaps your pdf viewer is zoomed all the way in when it opens?
When you click this link it does nothing…brings up a blank page. Just FYI.
What is our local U.S. congressman’s, (Rep. Miller), take on this and why wasn’t he at the meeting? If Miller wants to be re-elected, he should be the one leading the call to keep the office open, and not standing idly by as the FDOA carries out this plan – unless he’s really in support of closing it.