FSA quickly implemented crucial programs amid challenging year Purkey SIDNEY — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) helped farmers, livestock producers and foresters weather a tough 2020, marked with a pandemic and natural disasters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, FSA continued to deliver farm programs to producers through phone and online tools, using social distancing guidelines. The agency also provided extra flexibilities to its programs, adjusting reporting dates and loan processing timelines, and continued to expand technology and streamline services to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. “Shelby County has over of 200,000 cropland acres with the top three commodities being soybeans, corn and wheat. We serve over 3,000 farm operators and owners,” said Annette Purkey, the Shelby County executive director (CED) for the Farm Service Agency (FSA). She also serves as the Acting CED for the Miami County FSA office.