Congressman Cleaver Sounds the Alarm Regarding Potential Closure of Missouri Farm Service Agency Offices

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) raised concerns about plans to close or reduce services at Farm Service Agency offices throughout the state of Missouri. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Congressman Cleaver highlighted the significant challenges confronting American farmers and demanded answers regarding the extent to which FSA operations will be scaled back across the state.

Employing over 460,000 people, agriculture remains Missouri's number one industry, with soybeans and corn representing the state's top commodities. Notably, Missouri is home to nearly 88,000 farms, which account for 66% of the state's total land use. Over the last two years, however, the USDA reports that profit margins for U.S. soybeans and corn have been negative, all while the costs of fertilizer, fuel, seeds, labor, and equipment maintenance have skyrocketed. Moreover, according to a February report from the American Farm Bureau Federation, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies surged by 46% in 2025, the second consecutive year of increased bankruptcies.

"American farmers are facing an economic crisis that's made it nearly impossible for many of them to continue producing crops or raising livestock," said Congressman Cleaver. "The Midwest led the nation last year in the number of farmers declaring Chapter 12 bankruptcy, and Missouri alone saw sixteen farms reach that point in 2025. When you factor in all the families who don't qualify for Chapter 12, the picture becomes even more dire. Given the current situation, it makes absolutely no sense for the USDA to start unexpectedly closing and reducing services at FSA County Offices. In many respects, the wellbeing of this country depends upon the wellbeing of our farmers, and we know for a fact that Missouri farmers are struggling right now. The FSA is a lifeline to programs needed to keep midwestern farms afloat," Congressman Cleaver continued, "and reducing the agency's presence in this state will add yet another burden to the long list of challenges that Missouri farmers are dealing with right now. Closing the local FSA office at a time like the present is akin to kicking our farmers when they're down."

Currently operating 97 County Offices across the state of Missouri, the FSA assists farmers with disaster relief, crop insurance, loans, and income support programs. Congressman Cleaver was recently notified that the USDA intends to close or reduce services at several Missouri FSA County Offices starting on October 1, 2026. Early reports indicate that a number of offices will begin operating on an appointment-only basis, while other offices will see their dedicated staff transferred to other locations.

In addition to emphasizing the profound hardships that farmers have faced in recent years, Congressman Cleaver requested additional information regarding the following:

1. The number of FSA offices slated for closure between now and the end of the next fiscal year (September 30, 2027).
2. The locations of the proposed office closures.
3. The date(s) by which the FSA County Offices in question will cease operations.
4. The extent to office closures will be done in conjunction with FSA staff reductions.
5. The locations of FSA County Offices that will become open by appointment only.
6. The offices to which staff will be transferred if their original places of employment are closed.
7. The plans in place to ensure that FSA programs continue to be administered without delay.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver is available here.