Public Meeting Today To Address Planned Closure Of Molino USDA Office

February 1, 2012

A public meeting will be held this morning to discuss the federal government’s plan to close the USDA’s Escambia County Farm Services Agency office in Molino.

The public meeting will offer an opportunity for Escambia County farmers and ranchers to speak on the proposed closure. The USDA Florida Farm Service Agency management team will be on hand for the meeting, including State Executive Director Tim Manning, Administrative Office Mark Cottrell and Executive Officer Debby Folsom.

The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church at 6240 North Highway 95A in Molino.

On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of their Molino office, the only Farm Service Agency Office in the North Escambia area to be shut down. The Santa Rosa County office in Milton and the Escambia County (Ala.) Office in Brewton will remain open.

The USDA has proposed to streamline operations and decrease costs under a plan that includes the consolidation of 131 county FSA offices in 32 states, including six in Florida.

The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County.

Comments

2 Responses to “Public Meeting Today To Address Planned Closure Of Molino USDA Office”

  1. Jamie Hall - Local Hay/Cattle Producer - FSA County Committee Member on February 1st, 2012 6:23 am

    Everyone who has an interest in this needs to come today. I could write a book as to why this makes no sense to close this office for the very small amount of savings it will have for the Fed. Gov. But I am going to hold most of my cards until today in the public meeting. Basically closing this office will save the Fed Gov roughly $17,000 in rent money but will affect roughly 1600 producers and why do you close one of the top three busiest offices in the state. So please show up and bring a friend. I believe that a large crowd of people voicing there opinion will have the most effect in keeping this office open. We will easily justify why this office does not need to be closed. I am just hoping someone from the state and feds will listen. Hopefully “we the people” will prevail.

  2. Jane on February 1st, 2012 3:51 am

    Anyone can go to the meeting, so if you have concerns about this and can manage to go, please do. This is a chance to make your voices heard on this issue!