Some federal Farm Services Agency offices are being temporarily re-opened, in order to allow farmers to cash checks and get important paperwork during the government shutdown.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the temporary recall of about 2,500 FSA employees to some of their offices; these workers will be available Thursday, Friday and next Tuesday during regular business hours. The offices will be closed Monday for the federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Only select FSA offices will be open on these days; the Jasper County Service Center in Newton and the Lucas County Service Center in Chariton are the closest ones to our area.

Many farmers with loans gained through FSA have been unable to cash their checks, because they’re made out to the agency and there hasn’t been anyone available to sign off on them.

Employees will be able to approve those payments, provide 1099 forms to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service deadline, and take care of other priority items.