USDA limiting in-person visits at some service centers

Press release

BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday it is temporarily restricting in-person visits for numerous service centers in Montana 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 Montana will be physically closed to visitors, we remain open for business,” said Mike Foster, state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Montana.

“Throughout the pandemic, our work with producers has continued and we remain committed to serving our customers,” added Tom Watson, state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana.

All USDA service centers are open for business, and service center 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 https://www.farmers.gov/mydocs . 

Producers wishing to conduct business with the FSA, NRCS, or any other USDA service center agency should call ahead to confirm and schedule appointments. More information on service center status can be found at https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status, and contact information for local service centers is available at https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator .