Oct. 19, 2005
 
UPLAND NEWS BRIEFS: Boucher Protests Proposed Farm Service Office Closings; Utility Discount Program Offered in WV for Low Income Residents
 
Compiled By William Paine
Bluefield News Network Writer
 
Virginia (BNN) -- As part of the “FSA Tomorrow” plan, the Bush Administration has proposed the closing of nearly one quarter of the Farm Service Agency’s county offices. The proposed closures include six Virginia offices that serve Alleghany, Buchanan, Carroll, Grayson, Henry, Patrick, Smyth, and Tazewell Counties as well as the City of Galax. The Farm Service Agency was set up in 1994 to help stabilize farmers’ incomes, conserve natural resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers, and aid in disaster relief and recovery.
 
Farmers in the Buchanan and Tazewell Counties office would be served by the Russell county FSA.
 
Farmers in Smyth county would need to travel to the Wythe County office for services.
 
Congressman Rick Boucher, D-VA-9th, is opposed to the closings and plans to propose legislation which would stop the U.S. Department of Agriculture from closing FSA offices at least until the 2002 Farm Bill expires in 2008. The proposed closures in Southwest Virginia include:
 
Buchanan/Tazewell County office. Buchanan and Tazewell County farmers would be served by the Russell County office.
 
Smyth County office. Smyth County farmers would be served by either the Washington County or Wythe County offices.
 
Applications Going Out for Utility Discount Program
 
West Virginia (BNN) -- The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is mailing applications for their Utility Discount Program. For those eligible, this program will reduce home heating costs by 20 percent. Recipients must receive benefits through Supplemental Security Income, West Virginia Works, or be 60 or older and receive food stamps. A household’s eligibility is determined by the utility company which provides home heating for the residence.