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Minnesota FSA director prepared for down farm economy

The new executive director of the Minnesota Farm Service Agency (FSA) says FSA programs are in place for challenging financial times like farmers are currently facing.

Joe Martin is two weeks into his USDA post.

“Unfortunately, I sort of joke that I wish the farm economy was better to take this job.  But at the same time, these farm programs are in place not for good times, but for these times that are more challenging.”

Martin has served the Minnesota and American Farm Bureau Federations and at one time was assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

He tells Brownfield FSA has tools available to help farmers get through this difficult period.

“Whether that be base farm program support, or (maybe) our loan guarantees.  As folks are struggling with their credit situation, FSA can work with a local lender if you need a loan guarantee.  So we’re working with those, taking out marketing loans.”

Joining Martin as a newly appointed USDA director in Minnesota is former state representative Brad Finstad, who will oversee Rural Development.

Finstad is currently the CEO of the Center for Rural Policy and Development, Minnesota’s only statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan, rural policy research center.