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James Little Resigns As Head of Farm Service Agency

Posted on: Monday, 26 September 2005, 18:00 CDT

By Chris Clayton, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Sep. 26--The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency announced his resignation Friday, one week after reports that the FSA could close more than 25 percent of its county offices nationally.

James Little resigned after 4 1/2 years as administrator for the Farm Service Agency, the arm of the USDA most farmers work with for government programs. Little was a 35-year USDA employee and just last week was appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to oversee hurricane relief efforts for the agency.

"It is with great pride in his service and regret in his leaving that I have accepted Jim Little's resignation," Johanns said.

Last week, a report surfaced showing the FSA planned to close 665 of 2,353 offices nationwide, including 20 offices in Nebraska and 22 in Iowa. The USDA said consolidating offices would improve efficiency and ensure farmers have access to more services at each office.

The proposal upset members of Congress, particularly because they were not briefed on it. The Senate on Wednesday passed an amendment to the USDA's appropriations bill blocking the agency from making any such cuts without first seeking congressional reaction. Senators from several states and both parties expressed anger over the plan.

"I haven't seen the specific plan, but it doesn't sound like anything new," said U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. "We've been down this road before. I've fought this issue several times in the last 10 years."

On Friday, however, the Associated Press reported that according to a summary provided to the Senate Agriculture Committee, the USDA plan is to close 713 offices. Little was quoted as saying, "If you really think about it, it makes good business sense."

Grassley said that with drought in the eastern Corn Belt, a large crop expected nationally and low commodity prices, this is no time for the USDA to close offices that help farmers directly with government programs.

"I'm going to make sure the department is taking care of the needs of our family farmers," he said.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

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Source: Omaha World-Herald

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