Public has say before FSA office is closed

Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 00:00

ALBANY COUNTY — The only public hearing before the federal Department of Agriculture makes a final determination on closing the Farm Service Agency office in Voorheesville will be held on Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. in the agency’s Martin Road office.

The proposed closure of the Albany County FSA branch came about a month ago when the USDA announced that it planned to close 131 FSA offices across the country.  It will still maintain 2,100 locations, and the Voorheesville office will merge with one 18 miles away in Schoharie, according to USDA spokesman Matt Herrick.

After the public’s input has been evaluated, Herrick said, the USDA will make a determination on the closures within 60 days.  Offices will likely close by the beginning of July, he said.

Written comments regarding the closure may be e-mailed — no later than Feb. 17 — to James Barber, state executive director for New York FSA, at [email protected], or sent to James Barber, SED  NY Farm Service Agency  Suite 356, fifth Floor 441 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.

For earlier coverage, go to www.AltamontEnterprise.com and look under “Archives” for Jan. 12, 2012.

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