Winneshiek County Farm Service Agency reopens for a limited time

The FSA Decorah Office parking lot was busy Thursday

The Winnesheik County Farm Service Agency is one of many FSA offices across the nation that has reopened temporarily, despite the government shutdown.

The local agency will be open Thursday, Friday and next Tuesday to perform certain limited services for farmers. All FSA offices will be closed for the federal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday.

FSA staff will be available to assist agricultural producers with existing farm loans and to ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service's deadline.

Staff members will be available to help producers with specific services, including:

• Processing payments made on or before December 31, 2018
• Continuing expiring financing statements
• Opening mail to identify priority items

Additionally, staff may release proceeds from the sale of loan security by signing checks jointly payable to FSA that are brought to the county office by producers.

To contact the Winneshiek County Service Center, call (563) 382-8777.