U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-1), Tim Griffin (AR-2), Steve Womack (AR-3), and Tom Cotton (AR-4) commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Monday for extending the payment date for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Marketing Assistance Loans by an additional 60 days for agricultural producers affected by the collapse of Tuner Grain Merchandising in Brinkley, Arkansas.

On August 28, 2014, the representatives sent a joint letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting an extension of 180 days. Monday, the four Arkansas congressmen received word of Vilsack’s decision to provide a 60-day extension, which begins immediately after the 30 days already provided from the expiration date of the marketing authorizations. The FSA exemption period for affected growers now sits at a total of 90 days.

“Arkansas agriculture is critical to our state’s economy and is a central component of our national food supply,” the group said in a joint statement. “We applaud the USDA for granting this extension for our farmers who have been affected by Turner Grain’s collapse, while also ensuring the safety of our food supply. While USDA did not grant the amount of time we felt necessary for impacted agricultural producers to sufficiently recover, we appreciate the department’s timely response to our request and willingness to work with our growers.”