The United States Department of Agriculture is temporarily restricting in-person visits for numerous Service Centers in Minnesota because of elevated rates of coronavirus community spread, but USDA employees will continue to assist agricultural producers with programs and services.
    USDA is using a phased, data-driven approach to determine which Service Centers are open for in-person appointments. Field work, including conservation planning assistance, will continue with appropriate social distancing.
    “While many of our Service Centers across Minnesota will be physically closed to visitors, we remain open for business,” said Joe Martin, state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Minnesota.
    Added Troy Daniel, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Minnesota, “Throughout the pandemic, our work with producers has continued and we remain committed to serving our customers.”
    All USDA Service Centers are open for business, and staff members from FSA and NRCS will continue to work with producers by phone, email, and digital tools like Microsoft Teams, Box, and OneSpan. Producers can learn more about how to leverage these digital offerings by visiting www.farmers.gov/mydocs.
    Producers wishing to conduct business with the FSA, NRCS or any other agency should call ahead to confirm and schedule appointments. More information can be found at ww.farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status, and contact information for local Service Centers is available at www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
    Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.