Hinchey Says Family Farms Undermined

Hinchey Says Farm Service Agency Will Undermine
Family Farms With New York Office Closures

Washington, DC — Charging that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) is undermining and abandoning New York’s family farms, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today blasted the agency over its continued efforts to close eight county offices located throughout the state. Hinchey has been vigorously fighting the FSA’s proposal to close offices in New York, as well as across the country, since the agency provides critical services to local farmers and offers personalized attention and advice on an array of federal agricultural programs. The congressman learned this week during a call with FSA Administrator Lasseter that Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner is poised to soon approve the FSA closure plan for New York, which includes the closure of offices in Albany, Broome, Herkimer, Oswego, Rensselaer, Suffolk, Sullivan, and Yates counties.