Excerpts from the letter are included below:

“As we understand it, this plan would redefine the office structure and functions of the Farm Service Agency and would likely result in staff reductions and office closures,” wrote Skelton and Berry. “We think it is fair to say that Members of Congress do not know what USDA intends to accomplish with ‘FSA Tomorrow.’  From what little information we have received, this plan appears to be an attempt to downsize FSA and diminish a critical agricultural link between Washington and rural America.  While we are trying to learn the breadth of USDA’s proposal, it seems ill advised to make it more difficult for producers to access FSA offices at a time when Congress is preparing to write a new farm bill and when natural disasters are prevalent throughout the countryside."

“In order to help Members of Congress and the American people gain a better understanding of USDA’s true intent, the House Agriculture Committee should immediately hold hearings to examine the ‘FSA Tomorrow’ initiative.  Producers, FSA employees, commodity groups, and the Executive Branch should have the opportunity to fully explain their views on ‘FSA Tomorrow’ and determine how these policy changes will impact them.  It would also be wise to investigate whether USDA is overstepping its bounds by administering changes at the FSA that may not meet the approval of Congress,” wrote Skelton and Berry.