CommunityFarms and FarmingNews

USDA Farm Services open for Phone appointments only

Service Centers Open for Business by Phone Appointment Only

ROANOKE, VA, April 20, 2020 — The Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County USDA Service Center in Bonsack will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible.

USDA Service Centers are encouraging visitors to take precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.  All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call to schedule a phone appointment.   

Farm Service Agency: (540) 977-2698 extension 2

Natural Resources Conservation Service: (540) 977-2698 extension 3 

The Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District can be reached at (540) 400-0707.

Please leave a voicemail message.

Employees may also be contacted by email at the following email addresses: 

C. Jean Hazlegrove (FSA)  –  jean.hazlegrove@usda.gov

Hayley A. Wentzel (FSA)  –  hayley.wentzel@usda.gov

Joanne Yousten (NRCS)  –  joanne.yousten@usda.gov

Online services are available to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal, various FSA online services and the NRCS Conservation Client Gateway. Through the farmers.gov portal, producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. On the FSA website, customers with an eAuth account can enroll in certain programs and access maps and farm data through FSAfarm+. Online NRCS services are available to customers through the Conservation Client Gateway where customers can track payments, report completed practices, request conservation assistance, and electronically sign documents. Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in

For the most current updates on available services and Service Center status visit farmers.gov/coronavirus

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

–Submitted by Jean Hazelgrove