The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture want the Administration and Congress to fully re-open the government offices. Following that request, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that many Farm Service Agency Offices will reopen temporarily in the coming days to perform limited services for farmers and ranchers. In close to half of the FSA locations, FSA staff will help producers with existing farm loans and provide 1099 tax documents to borrowers. NASDA Vice President Doug Goehring, North Dakota’s Ag Commissioner says the full reopening is still needed.

He says many offices totally run out of funds soon and states will have to pick up those costs.

Goehring says while farm loans and tax documents are being handled temporarily at the FSA, important government reports aren’t getting out.

FSA offices will be open January 17,18 and 22 during normal business hours.