The U.S. Agriculture Department announced it will close nearly 260 offices nationwide in an effort to save dollars. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the goal was to save $150 million a year in the agency’s $145 billion budget. About $90 million had already been saved by reducing travel and supplies and the closures were expected to save another $60 million.
The plan calls for 259 offices, labs and other facilities to be closed, affecting the USDA headquarters in Washington and operations in 46 states. The implications in Oregon are that offices in Tillamook, Clatsop, Polk and Grant County will see closures.
Oregon FSA has scheduled important public meetings regarding these closures. The specific information is listed below.
FSA’s public meetings will be the only ones held to take public comment on USDA’s proposed office consolidation plan in which the Polk, Tillamook-Clatsop, and Grant County FSA offices are being considered for consolidation with other FSA County Office operations. Producers can also provide written comment by e-mailing [email protected] or sending written comment to Lynn E. Voigt, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Oregon State FSA Office, 7620 SW Mohawk Street, Tualatin, OR 97062-8121 no later than 10 calendar days after the scheduled public meeting.
All public comments will be taken into full consideration prior to development or implementation of a final consolidation plan.
Tillamook County:
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 9:00 am
Tillamook People’s Utility District Office – Conference Room
1115 Pacific Avenue (Hwy 101), Tillamook, OR
Polk County:
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:00 am
Polk County Fairgrounds – Main Building
520 S. Pacific Hwy. West, Rickreall, OR
Grant County:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 9:00 am
US Forest Service Office – Juniper Hall
431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR
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