Hawley Urges Secretary Rollins to Keep Farm Service Agency Offices Open in Missouri

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to address Farm Service Agency (FSA) office closures and reduction of services in Missouri. His letter comes after the Missouri FSA State Committee announced a reduction of services in Ralls County starting in October of this year, a crucial time for farmers receiving conservation and disaster program assistance. Senator Hawley thanked Secretary Rollins for her efforts safeguarding Missouri agriculture, writing , “I appreciate your efforts to assist farmers as they continue to face high input costs and yearly financial losses. As you know, our nation’s producers rely on timely services from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) field offices as they work to navigate these challenges.” He continued , “I write to request your review of pending closures and the reduction of services at Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. In particular, I am concerned about the pending reduction of services at the Ralls County FSA office on October 1, 2026. October is an incredibly important time of the year at FSA offices as several conservation and disaster program payments are distributed.” The Senator concluded , “I urge you to use all appropriate resources and authorities at your disposal to preserve the continued operation of FSA offices in my state.” Read the full letter here or below. August 4, 2026 The Honorable Brooke L. Rollins Secretary of Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Secretary Rollins, I appreciate your efforts to assist farmers as they continue to face high input costs and yearly financial losses. As you know, our nation’s producers rely on timely services from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) field offices as they work to navigate these challenges. For this reason, I write to request your review of pending closures and the reduction of services at Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. In particular, I am concerned about the pending reduction of services at the Ralls County FSA office on October 1, 2026. October is an incredibly important time of the year at FSA offices as several conservation and disaster program payments are distributed. To assist my review of these matters, I respectfully request the following information by August 14, 2026: How many Missouri FSA offices has USDA proposed to close by October 1, 2027? Please provide the names of each county office. How many Missouri FSA has USDA proposed to reduce services at or alter to “appointment only” availability by October 1, 2027? Please provide the names of each county office. What staffing plans has the USDA considered to add quality FSA employees? If additional staff is obtained prior to October, will the USDA reverse course on current plans to close or reduce services at Missouri FSA offices? I urge you to use all appropriate resources and authorities at your disposal to preserve the continued operation of FSA offices in my state. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Josh Hawley U.S. Senator