Spencer, IA: (May 30, 2012) - Iowa State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) John Whitaker announced on Wednesday that U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has approved the closure of three FSA county offices in Iowa.
 
The county offices confirmed for closure in Iowa are in Appanoose, Decatur and Union Counties.
 
Whitaker said farmers affected by the closures will be given an opportunity to choose the most convenient neighboring county office to conduct future business with the FSA.
 
In addition, Whitaker says all employees in the closing offices will be given an opportunity to continue to work with the agency.
 
Budget reductions made by Congress have resulted in a loss of 1230 permanent FSA employees since 2011. In addition, FSA has been forced to reduce discretionary administrative expense by over 30 percent in the last fiscal year alone.