I looked to see what the FSA does:
Looks like they spend about $1.1 billion on their salaries and $400 million on “Agricultural Credit Insurance”.
Farm Loan programs are probably their largest activity. And I’m guessing that credit insurance is how they facilitate those loans through banks.
Activity List from Agency website:
Aerial Photography
ARC/PLC Program
Commodity Operations
Conservation Programs
Cooperative Agreements
Cotton Ginning Cost Share Program
Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Margin Protection Program for Dairy
Disaster Assistance Programs
Economic & Policy Analysis
Energy Programs
Environmental & Cultural Resource Compliance
Farm Bill Home
Farm Loan Programs
Financial Management Information
Laws and Regulations
Market Facilitation Program
MIDAS
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Outreach & Education
Payment Eligibility
Price Support
Initiatives
FSA actually does a lot for midwest corn/beans farmers. I know a couple. Having to drive to the state capitol to talk to an FSA loan officer is going to be a real pain for them.