REFERENCE TITLE: department of agriculture; additional offices

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HCM 2009

Introduced by

Representatives Cook: Cano, Carter, Dunn, Finchem, John, Quiñonez, Wilmeth

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO OPEN ADDITIONAL farm service agency OFFICES.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

To the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, farming and ranching are integral components for Arizona's economy, especially in rural counties; and

Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs are a critical part of the economic network that supports farming and ranching in Arizona; and

Whereas, government should be responsive to the diverse needs of the public, including the needs of rural, disadvantaged and underserved communities; and

Whereas, Arizona is a large and diverse state, and the needs of Arizona farmers and ranchers can be as varied as the unique lands where they labor; and

Whereas, some Arizona farmers and ranchers live over three hours away from the nearest USDA Farm Service Agency office, making it difficult to access important government services.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

1. That the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture evaluate the current locations of its Arizona offices to determine where additional Farm Service Agency offices are needed.

2. That the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture evaluate how it could better support all of Arizona's farmers and ranchers by locating Farm Service Agency offices closer to farmers and ranchers.

3. That the Farm Service Agency open additional offices where needed, including in Globe, Arizona.

4. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.