[United States Government Manual]
[July 01, 1995]
[Pages 111-146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Fourteenth Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250
Phone, 202-720-2791
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE Dan Glickman
Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger
Under Secretary for Farm and Gene Moos
Foreign Agricultural Services
Deputy Under Secretaries Dallas Smith
James Schroeder
Administrator, Consolidated Grant Buntrock, Acting
Farm Service Agency
Administrator, Foreign Gus Schumacher
Agricultural Service
Under Secretary for Food, Ellen Haas
Nutrition, and Consumer
Services
Deputy Under Secretary Shirley Watkins
Administrator, Food and Bill Ludwig
Consumer Service
Under Secretary for Food Safety Mike Taylor, Acting
Administrator, Food Safety and Mike Taylor
Inspection Service
Under Secretary for Natural James Lyons
Resources and Environment
Deputy Under Secretary for Adela Backiel
Forestry
Deputy Under Secretary for Tom Hebert
Conservation
Chief, Forest Service Jack Thomas
Chief, Natural Resources Paul W. Johnson
Conservation Service
Under Secretary for Research, Karl Stauber
Education, and Economics
Deputy Under Secretary Floyd Horn
Administrator, Agricultural R.D. Plowman
Research Service
Administrator, Cooperative William Carlson, Acting
State Research, Education,
and Extension Service
Administrator, Economic John Dunmore, Acting
Research Service
Administrator, National Donald Bay
Agricultural Statistics
Service
Under Secretary for Rural Michael Dunn, Acting
Economic and Community
Development
Deputy Under Secretaries Michael Dunn
Karl Stauber
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Administrator, Rural Housing Dayton Watkins, Acting
and Cooperative Development
Service
Administrator, Rural Housing Maureen Kennedy, Acting
and Community Development
Service
Administrator, Rural Utilities Wally Beyer
Service
Assistant Secretary for Marketing Pat Jensen, Acting
and Regulatory Programs
Deputy Assistant Secretary (vacancy)
Administrator, Agricultural Lon Hatamiya
Marketing Service
Administrator, Animal and Plant Lonnie King, Acting
Health Inspection Service
Administrator, Grain James R. Baker
Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration
Assistant Secretary for Wardell Townsend, Jr.
Administration
Deputy Assistant Secretary Anne Reed
Chairman, Board of Contract Edward Houry
Appeals
Judicial Officer Donald A. Campbell
Chief Judge, Administrative Law Victor Palmer
Judges
Director, Office of Civil David Montoya
Rights Enforcement
Director, Office of Information John Okay
Resources Management
Director, Office of Operations Ira L. Hobbs
Director, Office of Personnel Evelyn White
Assistant Secretary for Scott Shearer, Acting
Congressional Relations
Chief Financial Officer Anthony Williams
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ted David
Director, Office of Finance and Allen Johnson
Management
General Counsel James Gilliland
Deputy General Counsel Bonnie Luken
Inspector General Roger Viadero
Deputy Inspector General Charles Gillum
Director, Office of Ali Webb
Communications
Chief Economist Keith Collins
Director, Office of Budget and Stephen B. Dewhurst
Program Analysis
Director, National Appeals Fred Young, Acting
Division
[For the Department of Agriculture statement of organization, see the
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 2]
________________________________________________________________________
The Department of Agriculture works to improve and maintain farm income
and to develop and expand markets abroad for agricultural products. The
Department helps to curb and to cure poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
It works to enhance the environment and to maintain our production
capacity by helping landowners protect the soil, water, forests, and
other natural resources. Rural development, credit, and conservation
programs are key resources for carrying out national growth policies.
Department research findings directly or indirectly benefit all
Americans. The Department, through inspection and grading services,
safeguards and ensures standards of quality in the daily food supply.
[[Page 113]]
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The Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created by act of May 15, 1862
(7 U.S.C. 2201), and was administered by a Commissioner of Agriculture
until 1889 (5 U.S.C. 511, 514, 516). By act of February 9, 1889 (7
U.S.C. 2202, 2208, 2212), the powers and duties of the Department were
enlarged. The Department was made the eighth executive department in the
Federal Government, and the Commissioner became the Secretary of
Agriculture. The Department was reorganized under the Federal Crop
Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 note).
In carrying out its work in the program mission areas, USDA relies
on the support of departmental administration staff, as well as the
Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Communications, Office
of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, Office of Inspector
General, and the Office of the General Counsel.
Rural Economic and Community Development
The rural development mission of USDA is to help rural Americans improve
the quality of their lives. To do so, it has fostered a new relationship
among Government, industry, and communities. Rural development work is
focused in three organizations reporting to the Under Secretary for
Rural Economic and Community Development:
The Rural Housing and Community Development Service (RHCDS) includes
the rural housing programs of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), as
well as the rural community loan programs of the Rural Development
Administration (RDA) and the Rural Electrification Administration (REA).
The Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (RBCDS)
includes the Agricultural Development Service, business development
programs of RDA and REA and the Alternate Agriculture Research and
Commercialization Center.
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) combines the telephone and
electric programs of REA with the water and sewer programs of RDA.
Rural Housing and Community Development Service
[For the Rural Housing and Community Development Service statement of
organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 2003]
In 1994, the Rural Housing and Community Development Service redefined
the way it does business. It became the lender of first opportunity
instead of a lender of last resort. RHCDS also streamlined the way it
does business, both directly with its borrowers and internally with its
own employees.
RHCDS provides loans to rural residents who are unable to get credit
from commercial sources at reasonable rates and terms and who have a
reasonable chance for success.
The Service operates under the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921) and title V of the Housing Act of 1949
(42 U.S.C. 1471).
RHCDS guarantees loans made by commercial lenders for modest rural
housing. The agency also makes direct loans to low-income rural
residents.
Rural residents may apply for these loans at approximately 1,750
local offices and 258 district offices.
RHCDS provides financial and management assistance through the
following types of loans:
Operating Loans RHCDS guarantees loans made by commercial lenders and
provides some direct loans. Operating loan funds may be used to acquire
needed resources, to make improved use of their land and labor
resources, and to make adjustments necessary for successful rural
enterprises. Funds may be advanced to pay for equipment and home
operating needs; refinance chattel debts; provide operating credit to
fish farmers; carry out forestry purposes; and
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develop income-producing, nonfarm enterprises.
For loans made directly by the Administration, the interest rate is
set periodically, based on the Federal Government's cost of borrowing.
For loans made by other lenders and guaranteed by the Administration,
the interest rate is negotiated between the lender and the borrower.
Loans may be repaid over 1 to 7 years. RHCDS also provides interest
assistance by subsidizing the rate on guaranteed loans up to 4 percent,
depending on borrower needs. Other reliable agricultural credit sources
are encouraged to support as much of the essential needs of loan
applicants as possible with the balance supplied from operating loan
funds of the agency. Operating loan borrowers are expected to refinance
their operating loans and return to conventional credit when able to do
so.
Youth Project Loans The Service makes loans to individual rural
residents who are at least 10 but not more than 20 years old to
establish and operate income-producing enterprises of modest size,
either on the farm or in other locations. The interest rate is
determined by formula, periodically, based on the cost of Government
borrowing. Repayment terms depend upon the type of project for which the
loan is made. This program is designed to help 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers
of America, and other youth group members finance their agricultural or
nonagricultural projects.
Emergency Loans Emergency loans are made to eligible rural residents/
enterprises for losses arising from natural disasters.
Each loan is scheduled for repayment as rapidly as feasible, in
annual installments, consistent with the borrower's reasonable ability
to pay. The schedule varies according to the purpose of the loan.
The interest rate for emergency loans offsetting actual losses is
4.5 percent. Loans are limited to $500,000 or 80 percent of actual
losses, less any insurance protection.
Loans to Indian Tribes Loans to Indian tribes and tribal corporations
are made for the acquisition of lands within the reservation. Loans are
made for up to 40 years. The interest rate is set periodically, based on
the cost of Government borrowing.
Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program Under the Guaranteed Rural
Housing Loan Program, RHCDS guarantees loans made by commercial lenders
to moderate-income rural residents. Eligible applicants have sufficient
income and acceptable credit, but lack the downpayment to secure a loan
without help. RHCDS provides up to 100-percent financing for eligible
borrowers and guarantees participating lenders against most losses.
Direct Rural Housing Loans Section 502 loans are made to low-income
families for housing in rural areas. Loans can be made to build,
purchase, repair, and refinance homes. The maximum term can be 38 years,
and the loan may be for 100 percent of the appraised value. The basic
interest rate is determined periodically, based on the cost of money.
Borrowers may qualify for annual subsidy on the loan, which can reduce
the interest rate to as low as 1 percent. Cosigners on promissory notes
may be permitted for applicants who are deficient in repayment ability.
Builders may obtain from the Service ``conditional commitments''
that are assurances to a builder or seller that if their houses meet
agency lending requirements, then the agency may make loans to qualified
applicants to buy the houses.
An owner-occupant may obtain a section 504 loan of up to $15,000,
or, in the case of senior citizens, a grant of up to $5,000 to remove
hazards to the health and safety of the family. These loans, available
to very low-income families, are made at 1-percent interest.
Loans are made to private, nonprofit corporations, consumer
cooperatives, State or local public agencies, and individuals or
organizations operating on a profit or limited profit basis to provide
rental or cooperative housing in rural areas for persons of low and
moderate income. Maximum term is 50 years. Rental assistance may be
available to help defray rent paid by low-income families.
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Loans repayable in 2 years are authorized to nonprofit organizations
to purchase and develop land for resale as homesites for persons of low-
to-moderate income.
Loans and grants are also authorized for housing for farm laborers.
Housing the Homeless RHCDS offers single-family housing inventory
property to nonprofit organizations or public bodies for transitional
housing for the homeless. Qualifying organizations may lease nonprogram
property if they can show a documented need in the community for the
type of housing use proposed and the financial ability to meet proposed
housing costs.
Community Program Loans Direct and guaranteed loans are authorized to
public and quasi-public bodies, nonprofit associations, and certain
Indian tribes for essential community facilities, such as fire and
rescue and health care. Necessary related equipment may also be
purchased.
The interest rate is set quarterly for direct loans and is based on
yields of municipal bonds. Guaranteed loans bear an interest rate
negotiated by the lender and the borrower. Rural Housing guarantees a
lender against losses up to 90 percent of principal and interest.
Community facility loans may be made in towns populated up to
20,000.
Nondiscrimination in employment and occupancy is required.
For further information, contact the Information Staff, Rural Housing
and Community Development Service, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-4323.
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service
The Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (RBCDS) was
created to direct financial and technical assistance to areas of special
needs in rural America. It will focus on underdeveloped communities, the
Northwest Timber Initiative and water in Alaskan villages. Through its
community and business loan and grant programs it extends financial
assistance for water and waste disposal loans.
RBCDS promotes economic development in rural communities by
financing needed facilities, assisting business development and rural
cooperatives, and developing effective national strategies for rural
economic development.
RBCDS was authorized by title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2006f et
seq.), and was officially established within the Department of
Agriculture by Secretary's Memorandum 1020-34 dated December 31, 1991.
RBCDS operates its loan and grant programs principally under the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.).
The Service provides financial assistance through the following
types of loans and grants:
Business and Industry Loans The Service is authorized to make or
guarantee loans to public, private, or cooperative associations
organized for profit or nonprofit; to certain Indian tribes or tribal
groups; or to individuals for the purpose of improving, developing, or
financing business, industry, and employment and improving the economic
and environmental climate in rural communities.
The purpose is to develop business enterprises in rural areas and
cities with populations of less than 50,000, with priority to
applications for projects in open country and rural communities and
towns with populations of 25,000 and smaller.
Private lenders initiate, process, close, service, and supervise
guaranteed loans; the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service
guarantees a lender against loss up to 90 percent of principal and
interest. Interest rates are determined between borrower and lender.
Intermediary Relending Program Loans Loans are made to nonprofit
corporations, public agencies, Indian tribes, or cooperatives to
establish revolving loan funds from which the borrower, in turn, makes
loans to finance businesses or community development projects. Entities
that receive loans from RBCDS are referred
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to as ``intermediaries'' and entities that receive loans from
intermediaries are referred to as ``ultimate recipients.'' Loans to
intermediaries may be up to $2,000,000, to be repaid over a 30-year
period at 1-percent interest. Loans to ultimate recipients must not
exceed $150,000. The term and interest rate to ultimate recipients are
set by the intermediary. Ultimate recipients must not be located in a
city with a population of 25,000 or more.
Empowerment Program The Program develops and maintains programs to
identify Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, AmeriCorps, and
other Presidential initiatives to support rural development through the
selection of areas of greatest need. The Program works with other USDA
agencies, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and
private organizations and universities in a combined effort to develop
and promote comprehensive community and economic development in rural
America.
Industrial Development Grants Grants are available to finance and
facilitate development of small and emerging private business
enterprises in rural areas or cities populated up to 50,000, with
priority to applications for projects in open country, rural communities
and towns of 25,000 and smaller, and economically distressed
communities. Industrial Development Grants include grants made to third-
party lenders to establish revolving loan programs.
Eligibility is limited to public bodies and private, nonprofit
corporations. Public bodies include incorporated towns and villages,
boroughs, townships, counties, States, authorities, districts, and
Indian tribal groups in rural areas.
Funds may be used to finance and develop small and emerging private
business enterprises. Costs that may be paid from grant funds include
the acquisition and development of land and the construction of
buildings, plants, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas,
utility and service extensions, refinancing, fees, technical assistance,
startup operating costs, and working capital.
Rural Development Strategy Assistance RBCDS provides assistance to
rural communities in developing effective, long-term strategies for
community and economic development. RBCDS staff works on a national and
local basis to develop and implement creative strategies that involve
partnerships between RBCDS and other agencies, both public and private,
to enhance the economic competitiveness of rural communities. This
assures that RBCDS and other public programs work closely in creating
sustainable development over the long term.
In addition to its other programs, RBCDS provides administrative
services to the State Rural Development Councils (SRDC's). This service
is a secretarial support function only.
The SRDC's operate under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204b. The goals
are to improve rural development program coordination among Federal
agencies; to undertake active partnerships with States, localities, and
the private sector; and to improve the effectiveness of Federal rural
development efforts by adopting a strategic and comprehensive approach
to rural development.
SRDC's review rural development needs and available resources and
develop a strategic plan to execute their goals. The Executive Director,
who serves at the pleasure of SRDC leadership, supports the membership
in implementing the SRDC strategic State plan. Typical implementation
efforts involve the resolution of intergovernmental and
intragovernmental barriers for effective rural programs. Issues
identified by the SRDC's which cannot be solved at the State level are
advanced to the national level for consideration.
Federal members from 11 executive departments, 5 independent
agencies, and 2 White House bodies are represented on the national and
State levels. At the State level, SRDC members include representatives
from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, along with the
private sector-- both profit and nonprofit.
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Cooperative Services Under provisions of Public Law 103-211,
Agricultural Cooperative Service programs were united with the RBCDS.
The new Cooperative Services Program helps farmers and rural communities
to become self-reliant through the use of cooperative organizations.
Studies are conducted to support cooperatives that market farm products,
purchase production supplies, and perform related business services.
These studies concentrate on the financial, organizational, legal,
social, and economic aspects of cooperative activity.
Technical assistance and research is provided to improve cooperative
performance in organizing new cooperatives, merging existing
cooperatives, changing the business structure, and developing strategies
for growth. Applied research is conducted to give farmers and rural
communities expert assistance pertaining to their cooperatives.
Cooperative Services also collects and publishes statistics
regarding the role and scope of cooperative activity in U.S.
agriculture. Its monthly magazine, Farmer Cooperatives, reports current
developments and research for cooperative management and leadership.
Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Center The
Center provides and monitors financial assistance for the development
and commercialization of new nonfood and nonfeed products from
agricultural/forestry commodities. The Center promotes new and
alternative uses for agricultural materials. It also expands market
opportunities through development of value-added industrial products and
promotes environmentally friendly products.
For further information, contact the Rural Business and Cooperative
Development Service, Room 5405-S, Department of Agriculture, Fourteenth
Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0320. Phone,
202-690-2394.
Rural Utilities Service
[For the Rural Utilities Service statement of organization, see the Code
of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 1700]
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is involved in providing access to the
information superhighway in rural America, awarding grants to electric
and telephone utilities in 10 states to create local revolving loan
funds for rural economic development projects. The funds provide rural
water and sewer projects, community facilities, and industrial parks to
spur economic development and job opportunities.
RUS is a credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that
assists rural electric and telephone utilities in obtaining financing.
The assistance includes direct and Federal Financing Bank (FFB) funded
loans and shared security arrangements that permit the borrowers to
obtain financing from other lenders without a guarantee.
A total of 1,098 rural electric and 1,029 rural telephone utilities
in 47 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Federated States
of Micronesia have received these loans, loan guarantees, or other
assistance to construct, expand, and improve rural electric and
telephone systems.
RUS was established by Executive Order 7037 of May 11, 1935, as part
of a general program of unemployment relief. It was given statutory
authority by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C.
901-950b). Its Administrator is appointed by the President with the
advice and consent of the Senate.
Electric Program The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7
U.S.C. 901-950b), authorized RUS, then the Rural Electrification
Administration (REA), as a lending agency with responsibility for
developing a program to provide and improve electric service to persons
in rural areas, as defined by the Bureau of the Census.
The act requires that preference be given to nonprofit and
cooperative associations and to public bodies. With RUS' assistance,
rural electric utilities have obtained financing to construct electric
generating plants and transmission and distribution lines to
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provide initial and continued reliable electric service.
Telephone Program In 1949, RUS (then REA) was authorized to make loans
to provide telephone service in rural areas. Congress directed that the
rural telephone program be conducted to ``assure the availability of
adequate telephone service to the widest practicable number of rural
users of such service.'' About 75 percent of the telephone systems
financed by the agency are commercial companies, and about 25 percent
are subscriber-owned cooperatives.
Loans Loans are made in accordance with the act and are subject to the
provisions of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1991. By law, RUS direct
loans are made or insured at a municipal rate, but not greater than 7
percent. In cases of hardship, the Administrator may approve loans at an
interest rate of 5 percent.
RUS also obtains funds from the Federal Financing Bank (FFB), which
it lends to borrowers, mostly for large-scale electric and telephone
facilities at an interest rate equal to the cost of money paid by FFB,
plus one-eighth of 1 percent. FFB is located within the Department of
the Treasury.
Supplemental Financing A 1973 statement of congressional policy--not
part of the law--said, in part, ``...that rural electric and telephone
systems should be encouraged and assisted in developing their resources
and ability to achieve the financial strength needed to enable them to
satisfy their credit needs from their own financial organizations and
other sources at reasonable rates and terms consistent with the loan
applicant's ability to pay and achievement of the act's objectives.''
When RUS approves electric loans, it requires most borrowers to
obtain 30 percent of their loan needs from nonagency sources without an
agency guarantee. These nonagency sources include the National Rural
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, which is owned by electric
cooperatives and the National Bank for Cooperatives.
Telephone borrowers obtain supplemental financing from the Rural
Telephone Bank (RTB), an agency of the United States that was
established in 1971. Loans are made to telephone systems able to meet
RTB's requirements. Bank loans are made for the same purposes as loans
made by RUS but bear interest at a rate consistent with the Bank's cost
of money. Effective in fiscal year 1988, the budget act changed the
method of determining Bank interest rates.
The Rural Telephone Bank is managed by a 13-member board of
directors. The Administrator serves as Governor of the Bank until
conversion to private ownership, control, and operation. This will take
place when 51 percent of the Class A stock issued to the United States
and outstanding at any time after September 30, 1995, has been fully
redeemed and retired. The Bank board holds at least four regularly
scheduled meetings a year. Activities of RTB are carried out by RUS
employees and the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants Grants may be made for 100
percent of project costs to assist rural communities experiencing a
significant decline in quantity or quality of drinking water. Grants can
be made to rural cities or towns with populations not exceeding the
State's nonmetropolitan median household income requirement. The maximum
grant is $500,000 when the significant decline in quantity or quality of
water occurred within 2 years, or $75,000, to make emergency repairs and
replacement of facilities on existing systems.
Technical Assistance and Training Grants Grants are available for
nonprofit organizations to provide rural water and waste system
officials with technical assistance and training on a wide range of
issues relating to the delivery of water and waste service to rural
residents. Legislation requires that at least 1 percent and not more
than 2 percent of the funds appropriated for water and waste disposal
grants be set aside for these grants.
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Solid Waste Management Grants Grants are available for nonprofit
organizations and public bodies to provide technical assistance and
training to rural areas and towns populated up to 10,000 to reduce or
eliminate pollution of water resources and improve planning and
management of solid waste facilities.
Rural Water Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program Since 1980, the
National Rural Water Association (NRWA) has provided, by contract,
technical assistance to rural water systems. Circuit riders assist rural
water systems with day-to-day operational, financial, and management
problems. Currently there are 52 circuit riders that cover the 48
continental United States. The assistance may be requested by rural
water systems or by RUS. When circuit riders are not working on specific
requests, they call on rural water systems to offer assistance. The
Association reports monthly to the national office. The program
complements loan ``supervision'' responsibilities.
Rural Development Effective in fiscal year 1988, the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act established a rural development program to provide
interest-free loans and grants to electric and telephone borrowers to
promote rural economic development and job creation projects. The
program has financed such projects as business incubators, startups and
expansions, community development, studies, and a variety of initiatives
at the local level.
The Rural Economic Development Act of 1990 established other
programs to promote economic and community development, including a
Distance Learning and Medical Link Grant Program, and gave borrowers
authority to defer RUS loan payments to make investments in rural
development. Borrowers previously had been given authority to invest
their own funds in rural development projects.
For further information, contact the Legislative and Public Affairs
Staff, Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington,
DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-1255.
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
This mission area--formerly composed of the Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS) and Packers and Stockyards Administration (P&SA)-- was
divided into two mission areas:
Food safety is now managed by the Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Included in the 1994 reorganization are the entire operational and
support structure of FSIS, plus those units from AMS and APHIS with
responsibility for assuring the safety of food products.
The remaining units of AMS and APHIS report to the Assistant
Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. In addition, two areas
of responsibility delegated to FGIS and P&SA comprise the Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). This unit
reports to the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs.
Agricultural Marketing Service
The Agricultural Marketing Service was established by the Secretary of
Agriculture on April 2, 1972, under the authority of Reorganization Plan
No. 2 of 1953 (5 U.S.C. app.) and other authorities. The Service
administers standardization, grading, inspection, certification, market
news, marketing orders, and research, promotion, and regulatory
programs.
Market News The Service provides current, unbiased information to
producers, processors, distributors, and others to assist them in the
orderly marketing and distribution of farm commodities. Information is
collected on supplies, demand, prices, movement, location, quality,
condition, and other market data on farm products in specific
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markets and marketing areas. The data is disseminated nationally via a
modern satellite system and is shared with several countries. The
Service also assists countries in developing their own marketing
information systems.
Standardization, Grading, and Classing Grade standards have been
established for nearly 240 agricultural commodities to help buyers and
sellers trade on agreed-upon quality levels. Standards are developed
with the benefit of views from those in the industries directly affected
and others interested. The Service also participates in developing
international standards to facilitate trade.
Grading and classing services are provided to certify the grade and
quality of products. These grading services are provided to buyers and
sellers of live cattle, swine, sheep, meat, poultry, eggs, rabbits,
fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, peanuts, dairy products, and tobacco.
Classing services are provided to buyers and sellers of cotton and
cotton products. These services are mainly voluntary and are provided
upon request and for a fee. The Service also is responsible for the
certification of turpentine and other naval stores products, and the
testing of seed.
Laboratory Testing The Service provides scientific and laboratory
support to its commodity programs relating to testing of microbiological
and chemical factors in food products through grading, certification,
acceptance, and regulatory programs; processing and finishing tests for
cotton fiber and yarn; testing of peanuts for aflatoxin, and testing of
imported flue-cured and burley tobacco for pesticide residues, and
testing seeds for germination and purity. The agency also carries out
quality assurance and safety oversight activities with respect to the
Service's commodity division laboratory and testing activities relating
to milk market administrators, resident grading programs, and State and
private laboratory programs.
The Service also administers the Pesticide Data Program which, in
cooperation with States, samples and analyzes fresh fruits and
vegetables for pesticide residues. It shares residue test results with
the Environmental Protection Agency and other public agencies.
Food Quality Assurance Under a Governmentwide quality assurance
program, AMS is responsible for the development and revision of
specifications used by Federal agencies in procuring food for military
and civilian uses. The Service coordinates and approves certification
programs designed to ensure that purchased products conform to the
specification requirements.
Section 32 Programs Under section 32 of the act of August 24, 1935, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 612c), 30 percent of customs receipts collected during
each calendar year are automatically appropriated for expanding outlets
for various commodities. Portions of these funds are transferred to the
Food and Nutrition Service of USDA and to the Department of Commerce.
Remaining funds are used to purchase commodities for the National School
Lunch Program and other feeding programs, for diversion to other
outlets, and for administering agreement and order programs.
Regulatory Programs The Service administers several regulatory programs
designed collectively to protect producers, handlers, and consumers of
agricultural commodities from financial loss or personal injury
resulting from careless, deceptive, or fraudulent marketing practices.
Such regulatory programs encourage fair trading practices in the
marketing of fruits and vegetables, require truth in seed labeling and
in advertising.
Under the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056), the
Service provides mandatory inspection for wholesomeness in all plants
processing liquid, dried, or frozen egg products, and controls the
disposition of restricted shell eggs--eggs that are a potential health
hazard.
Marketing Agreements and Orders These programs, under authority of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.),
help to establish and maintain orderly marketing
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conditions for certain commodities. Milk marketing orders establish
minimum prices that handlers or distributors are required to pay
producers. Programs for fruits, vegetables, and related specialty crops
like nuts and spearmint oil help stabilize supplies and market prices.
In some cases, they also authorize research and market development
activities, including advertising supported by assessments that handlers
pay. Through orderly marketing, adjusting the supply to demand, and
avoiding unreasonable fluctuations during the marketing season, the
income of producers is increased by normal market forces, and consumer
interests are protected through quality and quantity control.
Federal marketing orders originate with a request from a producer
group to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary can conduct
hearings and referenda based on the producer group's proposal for a
marketing order. Producer and handler assessments finance their
operations.
In carrying out the Government role, the Service ensures that
persons interested in the development and operation of the programs have
a fair hearing and that each marketing order works according to Federal
law and established rules and guidelines.
Plant Variety Protection Program Under authority of the Plant Variety
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), the Service administers a
program that provides for the issuance of ``certificates of plant
variety protection.'' These certificates afford developers of novel
varieties of sexually reproduced plants exclusive rights to sell,
reproduce, import, or export such varieties, or use them in the
production of hybrids or different varieties for a period of 18 years.
Research and Promotion Programs The Service monitors certain industry-
sponsored research, promotion, and information programs authorized by
Federal laws. These programs provide farmers with a means to finance and
operate various research, promotion, and information activities for
cotton, potatoes, eggs, milk and dairy products, beef, pork, wool,
mohair, honey, watermelon, limes, mushrooms, soybeans, and fresh cut
flowers.
Transportation Programs The Service is also responsible for the
development of an efficient transportation system for rural America that
begins at the farm gate, moves agricultural and other rural products
through the Nation's highways, railroads, airports, and waterways, and
into the domestic and international marketplace. To accomplish this, AMS
conducts economic studies and analyses of these systems, and represents
agricultural and rural transportation interests in policy and regulatory
forums. To provide direct assistance to the transportation community,
AMS supplies research and technical information to producers, producer
groups, shippers, exporters, rural communities, carriers, governmental
agencies, and universities.
The Service carries out responsibilities of USDA's former Office of
Transportation under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C.
1281), the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621), the
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C.
1691), the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 1921 note), the
International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs Act (7 U.S.C. 4401), and
the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 451-457).
Organic Standards Under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 501-522), the Service assists a National Organic Standards Board
in developing national organic standards.
Other Programs Other marketing service activities include financial
grants to States for marketing improvement projects. The agency also has
responsibility for the conduct of studies of the facilities and methods
used in the physical distribution of food and other farm products; for
research designed to improve the handling of all agricultural products
as they move from farm to consumers; and for increasing marketing
efficiency by developing improved operating methods, facilities, and
equipment for processing, handling, and
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distributing dairy, poultry, and meat products.
The Agricultural Marketing Service manages the Pesticide
Recordkeeping Program in coordination with the National Agricultural
Statistics Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Service
has developed educational programs and assists State agencies in
inspecting applicator records.
Field Organization Programs and activities in the field are carried out
through a variety of different types of organizations reporting to their
respective Washington components.
For further information, contact the Information Staff, Agricultural
Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-8999.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[For the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service statement of
organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 371]
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was reestablished by the
Secretary of Agriculture on March 14, 1977, pursuant to authority
contained in 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5
U.S.C. app.).
The Service was established to conduct regulatory and control
programs to protect and improve animal and plant health for the benefit
of man and the environment. In cooperation with State governments, the
agency administers Federal laws and regulations pertaining to animal and
plant health and quarantine, humane treatment of animals, and the
control and eradication of pests and diseases. Regulations to prevent
the introduction or interstate spread of certain animal or plant pests
or diseases are also enforced by the Service. It also carries out
research and operational activities to reduce crop and livestock
depredations caused by birds, rodents, and predators.
Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs Plant protection officials are
responsible for programs to control or eradicate plant pests and
diseases. These programs are carried out in cooperation with the States
involved, other Federal agencies, farmers, and private organizations.
Pest control programs use a single tool or a combination of pest control
techniques, both chemical and nonchemical, which are both effective and
safe.
Agricultural quarantine inspection officials administer Federal
regulations that prohibit or restrict the entry of foreign pests and
plants, plant products, animal products and byproducts, and other
materials that may harbor pests or diseases. Inspection service is
maintained at all major ocean, air, border, and interior ports of entry
in the continental United States and in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and Bermuda. Services also are provided on
a regular or on-call basis at some 500 outlying ports and military
installations throughout the country.
Other responsibilities include the inspection and certification of
domestic commodities for export, regulation of the import and export of
endangered plant species, and ensuring that imported seed is free of
noxious weeds.
Veterinary Services Animal health officials are responsible for
determining the existence and extent of outbreaks of communicable
diseases and pests affecting livestock and poultry. They organize and
conduct control eradication and certification programs in cooperation
with industry and State officials.
Service officials assess risk relating to animal diseases and
preharvest food safety. They maintain food inspection and quarantine
service at designated ports of entry for imported animals and birds and
are responsible for the health certification of livestock and poultry
exported to other countries.
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care The Service administers Federal
laws concerned with the humane care and handling of all warm-blooded
animals bought, sold, and transported--including common carriers--in
commerce and used or intended for use as pets at the wholesale level, or
used or intended for use in exhibitions or for research purposes. The
agency also
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enforces the Horse Protection Act of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 1821 note), which
prohibits the soring of horses at shows and sales.
International Services Service officials represent the APHIS agenda in
the international arena. This includes conduct of cooperative plant and
animal pest and disease control, eradication, and surveillance programs
in foreign countries. These programs provide a first line of defense for
the United States against threats such as screwworm, medfly, foot-and-
mouth disease, and other exotic diseases and pests. Service officials
provide international representation concerning sanitary and
phytosanitary technical trade issues, and manage programs for overseas
preclearance of commodities, passengers, and U.S. military activities.
Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection Service
officials are responsible for the regulation of genetically engineered
organisms and products that present a plant pest risk. Regulation is
carried out through a permit system. The Service also administers a
Federal law intended to ensure that all veterinary biological products,
whether developed by conventional or new biotechnological procedures,
used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of animal disease are
safe, pure, potent, and effective. This responsibility is met by
regulating firms that manufacture veterinary biological products subject
to the act. This includes licensing the manufacturing establishment and
its products; inspecting production facilities and production methods;
and testing products under a surveillance program.
Animal Damage Control Animal damage control officials cooperate with
States, counties, local communities, and agricultural producer groups to
reduce crop and livestock depredations caused by birds, rodents, and
predators. The officials conduct research into predator-prey
relationships, new control methods, and more efficient and safe uses of
present methods such as toxicants, repellants and attractants,
biological controls, scare devices, and habitat alteration. Using
methods and techniques that are biologically sound, environmentally
acceptable, and economically feasible, they participate in efforts to
educate and advise farmers and ranchers on proper uses of control
methods and techniques; they suppress serious nuisances and threats to
public health and safety caused by birds, rodents, and other wildlife in
urban and rural communities; and they work with airport managers to
reduce risks of bird strikes.
For further information, contact Legislative and Public Affairs, Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-2511.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
comprises the former Federal Grain Inspection Service and the former
Packers and Stockyards Administration. The primary task of GIPSA is to
carry out the provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act (7
U.S.C. 71 et seq.), the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended
(7 U.S.C. 181-229), the Truth in Lending and Fair Credit Billing Acts
(15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15
U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) with respect to firms subject to GIPSA. GIPSA also
administers the provisions of section 1324 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1631), certifying State central filing systems for
notification of liens against farm products and ensures integrity in the
inspection, weighing, and handling of U.S. grain. An Administrator,
appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate,
heads the agency.
GIPSA is responsible for establishing official U.S. standards for
grain and other assigned commodities, and for administrating a
nationwide official inspection and weighing system. GIPSA may, in
response to formal application, authorize private and State agencies to
perform official services under the authority contained in the act.
Three of GIPSA's four grain inspection divisions are located in
Washington, DC;
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the fourth is located in Kansas City, MO. Most employees work in field
offices around the Nation.
Inspection The United States Grain Standards Act requires, with some
exceptions, all U.S. export grain be officially inspected. At export
port locations, inspection is performed by GIPSA or by State agencies
that have been delegated export inspection authority by the
Administrator. For domestic grain, marketed at inland locations, the
Administrator designates private and State agencies to provide official
inspection services upon request. Both export and domestic services are
provided on a fee basis.
To ensure that the official U.S. grain standards are applied
uniformly nationwide, GIPSA's field offices provide oversight, guidance,
and assistance to non-Federal agencies performing inspection activities,
both at export and inland inspection points.
Buyers and sellers may request appeal inspections of original
inspection results, first from a field office and then, if desired, from
GIPSA's Board of Appeals and Review. GIPSA maintains a quality control
program to monitor the national inspection system and to ensure that all
field locations accurately and uniformly apply the U.S. grain standards.
Weighing Official weighing of U.S. export grain is performed at port
locations by GIPSA or by State agencies that have been delegated export
weighing authority by the Administrator. For domestic grain marketed at
inland locations, the weighing services may be provided by GIPSA or by
designated private or State agencies. Weighing services are provided on
a fee basis, upon request.
As with inspection activities, GIPSA field offices provide
oversight, guidance, and assistance to non-Federal agencies performing
official weighing services. With the support of the Association of
American Railroads and user fees, it conducts a railroad track scale-
testing program which includes an annual testing service for all State
and railroad company-owned master scales. GIPSA is the only entity,
public or private, which connects all railroad track scales to the
national standards.
Standardization GIPSA is responsible for establishing, maintaining,
and, as needed, revising official U.S. standards. Such standards exist
for corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, flaxseed, sorghum, soybeans,
triticale, sunflower seed, canola, and mixed grain. GIPSA is authorized
to perform applied research to develop methods of improving accuracy and
uniformity in grading grain.
It is also responsible for standardization and inspection activities
for rice, dry beans, peas, lentils, hay, straw, hops, and related
processed grain commodities under the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621). Although standards no longer exist for
hay, straw, and hops, GIPSA maintains inspection procedures for and
retains authority to inspect these commodities.
Compliance GIPSA's compliance activities ensure accurate and uniform
implementation of the act, applicable provisions of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946, and related regulations--including designating
States and private agencies to carry out official inspection and
weighing functions and monitoring, and overseeing and reviewing the
operations of such agencies to ensure adequate performance.
GIPSA administers a registration program for all firms that export
grain from the United States. In conjunction with the Office of the
Inspector General, it carries out a program for investigating reported
violations, and initiates followup and corrective actions when
appropriate. The total compliance program ensures the integrity of the
national inspection and weighing system.
Packers and Stockyards Activities The Packers and Stockyards Act is an
antitrust, trade practice, and financial protection law. Its principal
purpose is to maintain effective competition and fair trade practices in
the marketing of livestock, meat, and poultry for the protection of
livestock and poultry producers. Members of the livestock, poultry, and
meat industries are also protected against unfair or monopolistic
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practices of competitors. The act also protects consumers against
unfair business practices in the marketing of meats and poultry and
against restrictions of competition that could unduly affect meat and
poultry prices.
The provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act are enforced by
investigations of violations of the act with emphasis on payment
protection; detecting instances of commercial bribery, fraud in
livestock marketing, and false weighing; requiring adequate bond
coverage for commission firms, dealers, and packers; and the
surveillance of marketing methods at public markets and in geographical
market areas of the country.
For further information, contact the Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250. Phone, 202-720-0219.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was established by the
Secretary of Agriculture on June 17, 1981, pursuant to authority
contained in 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5
U.S.C. app.). At that time, the Service was delegated authority for
regulating the meat and poultry industry to ensure that meat and
poultry, and meat and poultry products moving in interstate and foreign
commerce were safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. Under the
Secretary's Memorandum No. 1010-1, dated October 23, 1994, the Service's
authority was extended to include the inspection of egg products.
Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Federal meat and poultry
inspection is mandatory for the following animals and birds used for
human food: cattle, calves, swine, goats, sheep, lambs, horses (and
other equines), chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas. The work
includes inspection of each animal or bird at slaughter, and inspection
of processed products during various stages of production. Under the Egg
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056), the Service conducts
mandatory, continuous inspection of the production of liquid, dried, and
frozen egg products, to ensure that egg products are safe, wholesome,
unadulterated, and accurately labeled. The Service tests samples of egg
products, and meat and poultry products for microbial and chemical
contaminants to monitor trends for enforcement purposes.
Facilities and equipment are approved by FSIS before inspection is
granted, and each product label must be approved by the agency before
products can be sold. The agency monitors meat and poultry products in
storage, distribution, and retail channels; and takes necessary
compliance actions to perfect the public, including detention of
products, voluntary product recalls, court-sized seizures of products,
administrative withdrawal of inspection, and referral for criminal
prosecution. The Service also conducts State programs for the inspection
of meat and poultry products sold in intrastate commerce.
The Service monitors livestock upon arrival at federally inspected
facilities to ensure compliance with the Humane Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C.
1901-1906); conducts voluntary reimbursed inspection for rabbits, other
domestic food animals, and certain egg products not covered by the
inspection law (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627); and ensures that inedible egg
products and inedible products from meat or poultry, such as offal
rendered for animal feed, are properly identified and isolated from
edible products (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056 and 7 U.S.C. 1624, respectively).
The Service conducts a toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline (800-535-
4555; in the Washington metropolitan area, 202-720-3333) to answer
questions about labeling and safe handling of meat and poultry, meat and
poultry products, and egg products. The hotline is also accessible (on
the same extension) by TDD.
For further information, contact the Director of Information and
Legislative Affairs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-7943.
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Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
This mission area of USDA ensures access to nutritious, healthful diets
for all Americans. It coordinates USDA's consumer education and outreach
activities, encourage consumer involvement in USDA policymaking, and
ensures that USDA adequately addresses consumer concerns and interests.
It concentrates on the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT),
eliminating the use of paper coupons while providing the recipient with
a plastic card and personal identification number that functions like
money. At the grocery check-out counter, no money and no Food Stamps
change hands. All accounting is done electronically.
Under the USDA reorganization legislation, a center for nutrition
policy and education was created underscoring the Department's
commitment to nutrition and nutrition education.
Food and Consumer Service
[For the Food and Consumer Service statement of organization, see the
Federal Register of June 6, 1970, 35 FR 8835]
The Food and Consumer Service is the agency of the Department that
administers the programs to make food assistance available to people who
need it. These programs are operated in cooperation with States and
local governments.
The Service, formerly the Food and Nutrition Service, was
established on August 8, 1969, by the Secretary of Agriculture, under
authority of 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5
U.S.C. app.).
Food Stamps The Food Stamp Program provides food coupons through State
and local welfare agencies to needy persons to increase their food
purchasing power. The coupons are used by program participants to buy
food in any retail store that has been approved by the Food and Consumer
Service to accept and redeem the food coupons.
Special Nutrition Programs The Service administers several programs
designed to improve the nutrition of children, particularly those from
low-income families. Principal among these is the National School Lunch
Program, which provides financial assistance to public and nonprofit
private schools of high school grade and under, in operating nonprofit
school lunch programs.
The School Breakfast Program provides cash assistance to State
educational agencies to help schools in operating nonprofit breakfast
programs meeting established nutritional standards. It is especially
important in improving the diets of needy children who may receive
breakfast free or at reduced prices.
The Summer Food Service Program for Children helps various
organizations get nutritious meals to needy preschool and school-aged
children during the summer months or during vacations in areas operating
under a continuous school calendar.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a companion activity that
helps to get nutritious meals to preschool and school-age children in
child care facilities and to functionally impaired adults in facilities
that provide nonresidential care for such individuals.
The Special Milk Program for Children, which is administered in
schools, institutions, and split-session kindergartens that do not
participate in any other Federal food program, is designed to help child
nutrition by paying a share of the cost of increased servings of fluid
milk made to children.
Food Distribution The Food Distribution Program makes foods available
to eligible recipients. Foods purchased by the Department are made
available principally to children in school lunch and breakfast
programs, in summer camps and child care centers, and to the nutrition
program for the elderly. Also, commodities are distributed to needy
families through food banks, charitable institutions, and local
government agencies.
The program on Indian reservations provides Indians on or near
reservations with access to a wide range of donated
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foods, including meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy and grain products.
Supplemental Food Programs The Special Supplemental Food Program for
Women, Infants and Children--the WIC Program--provides specified
nutritious food supplements, nutrition education, and health care
referrals to pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to 12 months post
partum, non-breastfeeding women up to 6 months post partum, and children
up to 5 years of age. Participants are determined by competent
professionals (physicians, nutritionists, nurses, and other health
officials) to be at nutritional risk because of nutritionally related
medical conditions or inadequate nutrition.
Cash grants are made available to participating State health
departments or comparable State agencies, or recognized Indian tribes,
bands, or groups. The State agencies distribute funds to the local
agencies, and the funds are used to provide foods for WIC recipients and
to pay specified administrative and clinical costs.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program This program provides supplemental
foods and nutrition education to low-income infants and children;
pregnant, post partum, and breastfeeding women; and elderly persons who
are vulnerable to malnutrition and reside in approved project areas. The
Department purchases foods for distribution through State agencies.
Nutrition Education and Training Under this program funds are granted
to the States for the development and dissemination of nutrition
information and materials to children and for in-service training of
food service and teaching personnel.
No person may be discriminated against--in the operation of any of
the programs administered by the Food and Nutrition Service--because of
race, color, sex, creed, national origin, or handicap.
For further information, contact the Public Information Officer, Food
and Consumer Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Phone, 703-305-2276.
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
Through the Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA), this mission area
administers farm commodity, crop insurance, and resource conservation
programs for farmers, and makes loans through a network of State and
county offices. CFSA programs are directed at agricultural producers or,
in the case of loans, at those with farming experience.
On October 13, 1994, the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 was enacted to
streamline USDA and deliver programs and services to the public more
efficiently. The new CFSA unifies most of the Agricultural Stabilization
and Conservation Service, most of the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, the farm loan section of the Farmers Home Administration,
and the administrative service section of the Foreign Agricultural
Service.
Consolidated Farm Service Agency
CFSA administers commodity and related land use programs designed for
voluntary production adjustment, resource protection, and price, market,
and farm income stabilization.
In each State, operations are supervised by a State committee of
three or five members appointed by the Secretary. A State Executive
Director, appointed by the Secretary, and staff carry on day-to-day
operations of the State office. The State Director of the Agricultural
Extension Service is an ex officio member of the State committee.
In each of approximately 3,000 agricultural counties, a county
committee of three farmer members is responsible for local
administration. A county executive director, with other necessary staff,
is employed to carry on day-to-day operations of the county office.
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Commodity Programs CFSA administers the Commodity Credit Corporation's
commodity stabilization programs for wheat, corn, cotton (upland and
extra long staple), seed cotton, soybeans and minor oilseeds, peanuts,
rice, tobacco, milk, wool, mohair, barley, oats, sugarbeets, sugarcane,
grain sorghum, rye, and honey. Commodity stabilization is achieved
through commodity loans, purchases, and payments to eligible producers.
For most commodities, loans and payments are made directly to
producers on the unprocessed commodity through CFSA's county offices.
Some commodities are also purchased from producers. Price support loans,
payments, and purchases also can be made available through cooperative
marketing associations. The price of milk is stabilized through
purchases of processed dairy products: butter, American-type cheese, and
nonfat dry milk. Price stabilization programs for tobacco and peanuts
are carried out through loans to producer associations that, in turn,
make program benefits available to producers. Tobacco producers must
contribute to a fund to assure that the tobacco program operates at no
net cost to taxpayers, other than administrative costs. For burley and
flue-cured tobaccos, purchasers contribute equally with producers. These
contributions are in addition to budget deficit assessments also being
paid by producers and purchasers. Stabilization of sugarbeet and
sugarcane prices is carried out through loans to sugar processors, who
in turn make program benefits available to producers.
Loans to producers can either be ``recourse'' --allowing producers
to repay their loans at principal plus interest--or ``nonrecourse''.
Nonrecourse loans enable the producer to forfeit or deliver the
commodity to the Commodity Credit Corporation with settlement based on
the quantity and quality of goods delivered if the market price falls
below the loan rate.
Loan deficiency payments are available to producers who agree to
forgo a nonrecourse loan. The loan rate, as determined by the Commodity
Credit Corporation, is higher than the market rate.
Eligibility for commodity loans, purchases, and payments is, in most
cases, conditional upon participation in acreage reduction, paid-land
diversion, payment-in-kind, allotment, or quota programs in effect for
the particular crop.
Under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990,
payments are limited to an annual ceiling of $125,000 per person on the
total payments of upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, wheat, rice,
and feed grain programs for the 1991 through 1995 crops.
The act greatly expanded flexibility for participating farmers to
shift program crop plantings, as well as options for oilseeds and
industrial and experimental crops.
Emergency Assistance Such programs offered to farmers in emergency-
designated areas may include any or all of the following:
--furnishing cost-sharing assistance for feed purchases, purchasing
fuel to burn spines off prickly pear cactus, or making available
Corporation-owned feed grains at reduced prices to eligible producers
who have suffered a substancial loss of their normal livestock feed
production due to a natural disaster, and in some instances, donations
of feed grains;
--cost-sharing with farmers who carry out emergency conservation
practices to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disaster; and
--allowing haying and grazing on acreage diverted to conserving uses
under the commodity programs or long-term land retirement program on a
county-by-county basis, as needed, in the event of a natural disaster.
Grain Reserve Program The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 reauthorized the Grain Reserve Program for farmer-owned
wheat, corn, grain sorghum, oats, and barley. When entry into the
Reserve is authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, producers may
enter into a contract extending their 9-month loan for an additional 27
months and receive quarterly storage payments.
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Loans may be repaid at any time. Interest may be charged when prices
exceed 105 percent of the target; however, storage payments cease when
prices exceed 95 percent of the target price.
Dairy Refund Payment Program The Dairy Refund Payment Program provides
producers refunds of the reductions in the price received for milk
during a calendar year. Reductions in price are required by law for all
milk produced in the United States and marketed commercially in calendar
years 1991 to 1995.
Indemnity Program The Dairy Indemnity Payment Program provides
indemnity payments to dairy farmers whose milk has been removed from the
commercial market because it contained residues of chemicals or toxic
substances, including nuclear radiation or fallout.
National Security CFSA is responsible for national security emergency
preparedness plans and programs relating to food production,
conservation, and stabilization; food processing, storage, and wholesale
distribution; livestock and poultry feed, seed, and the domestic
distribution of fertilizer; and farm equipment and repair parts.
CFSA also provides services relating to expansion of productive
capacity, materials, and facilities under the Defense Production Act of
1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. 2061); plans for management, control, and
allocation of water to be used for agricultural production and food
processing; consolidates all claims for material, labor, equipment,
supplies, and services needed to support the national security emergency
responsibilities of USDA; and guarantees payments or makes loans, as
needed, for the continuation of food and agriculture activities in a
national security emergency.
Financial management and budget support, and financial risk
assessments and analyses are provided by CFSA for the General Sales
Manager of the Foreign Agricultural Service in administering Commodity
Credit Corporation export credit sales and guarantee programs and Food
for Peace programs.
To carry out the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of
1978 (7 U.S.C. 3501), the Department assigned CFSA the primary
responsibility of collecting information through a reporting system
involving all States and most counties. The agency assesses penalties on
late filed information and refusals to file. The Administrator rules on
appeals resulting from penalties assessed for violations of the act.
Conservation Programs CFSA conservation programs help preserve and
improve the wealth and promise of America's farmlands.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) targets the most fragile
farmland by encouraging farmers to stop growing crops on cropland
designated by soil conservationists and plant a permanent vegetative
cover instead. In return, the farmer receives an annual rental payment.
The Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) is a joint effort by
agricultural producers, Federal and State agencies, and other groups to
restorw and protect the Nation's land and water resources and preserve
the environment. Cost-sharing is provided to ranchers/farmers to
encourage them to carry out conservation and environmental protection
practices on agricultural land that result in long-term public benefits.
Producers who plant agricultural commodities on highly erodible land
without an approved conservation plan or system, or wetland converted
after December 23, 1985, will be considered ineligible for USDA program
benefits. In addition, producers who convert wetland after December 28,
1990, will be ineligible for USDA benefits until the wetland is
restored. Other provisions of the 1990 law are designed to discourage
farming practices that may have adverse environmental impacts.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Staff, Consolidated
Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415,
Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-720-5237.
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Commodity Credit Corporation
The Commodity Credit Corporation was organized October 17, 1933,
pursuant to Executive Order 6340 of October 16, 1933, under the laws of
the State of Delaware, as an agency of the United States. From October
17, 1933, to July 1, 1939, the Corporation was managed and operated in
close affiliation with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. On July
1, 1939, the agency was transferred to the Department of Agriculture by
the President's Reorganization Plan No. I of 1939 (5 U.S.C. app.).
Approval of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act on June 29,
1948 (15 U.S.C. 714), subsequently amended, established the Corporation,
effective July 1, 1948, as an agency and instrumentality of the United
States under a permanent Federal charter.
The Corporation stabilizes, supports, and protects farm income and
prices, assists in maintaining balanced and adequate supplies of
agricultural commodities and their products, and facilitates the orderly
distribution of commodities.
The Corporation is managed by a Board of Directors, subject to the
general supervision and direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, who
is an ex officio Director and Chairman of the Board. The Board consists
of seven members (in addition to the Secretary of Agriculture), who are
appointed by the President of the United States.
The Corporation is capitalized at $100 million and has statutory
authority to borrow up to $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury. It
utilizes the personnel and facilities of the Consolidated Farm Service
Agency and, in certain foreign assistance operations, the Foreign
Agricultural Service to carry out its activities.
A commodity office in Kansas City, MO, has specific responsibilities
for the acquisition, handling, storage, and disposal of commodities and
products held by the Corporation.
Commodity Stabilization Loan, purchase, and/or payment programs of the
Corporation are administered by CFSA for wheat, corn, upland and extra-
long staple cotton, peanuts, rice, tobacco, milk, honey, barley, oats,
grain sorghum, rye, soybeans and minor oilseeds, sugarbeets, and
sugarcane.
Commodities acquired under the stabilization program are disposed of
through domestic and export sales, commodity certificate exchanges,
transfers to other Government agencies, and donations for domestic and
foreign welfare use. The Corporation also is authorized to exchange
surplus agricultural commodities it has acquired by the Corporation for
strategic and other materials and services produced abroad.
Foreign Assistance Under Public Law 480, the Agricultural Trade
Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1691), the
Corporation carries out assigned foreign assistance activities, such as
guaranteeing the credit sale of U.S. agricultural commodities abroad.
Major emphasis is also being directed toward meeting the needs of
developing nations under the Food for Peace Act of 1966 (7 U.S.C. 1691),
which further amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954. Under these authorities, agricultural commodities are
supplied and exported to combat hunger and malnutrition and to encourage
economic development in the developing countries. In addition, the
Corporation supplies commodities under the Food for Progress Program to
provide assistance to developing democracies.
The Corporation encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide
financing to developing countries under the Export Credit Guarantee
Programs administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Staff, Commodity
Credit Corporation, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415,
Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-720-5237. For information about
Commodity Credit Corporation export programs, contact the Information
Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture.
Phone, 202-720-3448.
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is a Government-owned
corporation within the Consolidated
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Farm Service Agency (CFSA). The purpose of FCIC is to promote the
national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture
through a sound system of crop insurance.
The manager of FCIC is also the Deputy Administrator for Risk
Management, Consolidated Farm Service Agency. The manager is responsible
for directing a widely used and actuarially sound crop insurance
program; providing an alternate form of coverage for crops that are
currently not insurable and evaluating new insurance products. The
manager also serves as a member of the FCIC Board of Directors and acts
as facilitator for board activities.
Federal crop insurance protects against unavoidable production
losses due to adverse weather and other named perils. The protection
does not extend to crop losses resulting from neglect, poor farming
prices, or theft, and does not insure against financial losses resulting
from low prices.
FCIC was established on February 16, 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1501). On
October 13, 1994, the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (7
U.S.C. 1501 note) significantly changed the way in which government
assists producers suffering a major crop loss. A major objective of the
reform was to replace the uncertainty of previous ad hoc disaster
assistance with the predictability of crop insurance protection.
Under the new insurance program, producers must purchase at least
the catastrophic level (CAT) of crop insurance of economic significance
to participate in USDA price support and production adjustment programs,
certain USDA farm loans and the Conservation Reserve Program. CAT
coverage provides pre-acre return similar to the coverage under most
previous ad hoc disaster programs. The coverage is fully subsidized by
the Federal Government apart from a nominal processing fee paid by the
producer. In order to give producers more service options, catastrophic
insurance coverage may be obtained from either commercial insurance
agents or local USDA offices.
Producers may purchase additional insurance coverage providing
greater protection. This additional coverage is only available through
commercial insurance companies and agents. To participate at higher
levels of coverage, FCIC has provided additional money and policy
incentives.
For crops that are not yet insurable, a provision of the Crop
Insurance Act establishes a Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
(NAP). In the event of a catastrophic crop loss, NAP provides benefits
that are similar to those provided by catastrophic crop insurance.
Payments are triggered when area losses for the crop exceed 35 percent,
and individual crop losses exceed 50 percent of the expected yield.
Producers do not have to participate in the NAP program in order to be
eligible for other USDA farm programs or loans. The NAP program is
administered through local USDA offices.
FCIC's mission is carried out by employees of the Consolidated Farm
Service Agency and commercial insurance companies and their agents.
Farm Loans
The Consolidated Farm Service Agency has direct and guaranteed loan
programs to help farmers who are temporarily unable to obtain private,
commercial credit. In many cases, these are beginning farmers who have
insufficient net worth to qualify for commercial credit. In other cases,
these are farmers who have suffered financial setbacks from natural
disasters, or who have limited resources with which to establish and
maintain profitable farming operations.
Farmers who qualify obtain their credit needs through the use of
loan guarantees, where a local agricultural lender makes and services
the loan, and CFSA guarantees the loan up to a maximum of 90 percent.
CFSA also has the responsibility of approving all loan guarantees and
providing monitoring and oveersight of lenders' activities.
For those unable to qualify for a loan guarantee from a commercial
lender, CFSA also makes direct loans. These loans are made and serviced
by a CFSA official, who provides credit counseling
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and supervision to its direct borrowers by assessing and evaluating all
aspects of the farming operation.
Unlike the commodity loans, CFSA administers several types of loans
which can only be approved for those who have repayment ability, and the
loans must be fully secured and are not ``nonrecourse.'' These include
farm ownership loans, farm ownership downpayment loans, farm operating
loans, emergency loss loans, and rural youth loans.
CFSA's mission is to provide supervised credit. This means that CFSA
should be identifying each individual borrower's specific strengths and
weaknesses in farm production and management, then providing information
on alternatives and other options to address the weaknesses and achieve
maximum productivity. Supervised credit makes the difference between
success and failure for many farm credit customers.
To help them retain ownership of their farms, CFSA provides certain
loan servicing benefits to borrowers whose accounts are delinquent due
to circumstances beyond their control, such as:
--reamortization, restructuring, and/or deferral of loans;
--rescheduling at the limited resource (lower interest) rate;
--acceptance of conservation easements on environmentally sensitive
land in exchange for writedown of debt; and
--writing down the debt to its net recovery value.
If none of these options results in a feasible farming operation,
customers are offered the opportunity to purchase their debt at its net
recovery value. If this is not possible, other options include the
following:
--conveyance of the property to CFSA and then leasing it back with
an option to purchase;
--debt settlement based on ability to pay; (The collateral securing
the loan may be retained if its market value is paid.) and
--in extreme cases, where a successful operation cannot be
developed, CFSA helps the borrower to retain the homestead and up to 10
acres of land.
If not leased or purchased by their former owners, farms that come
into CFSA ownership are sold at market value, with a preference to
beginning and minority farmers. Beginning farmers must have been in the
business less than 10 years and meet certain other requirements
concerning land ownership and management ability.
The eventual goal of CFSA's farm credit programs is to graduate its
customers to commercial credit. Once a farmer is able to obtain credit
from the commercial lending sector, the Agency's mission of providing
temporary, supervised credit is successfully completed.
For further information, contact the Manager, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone,
202-254-8460.
Foreign Agricultural Service
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has primary responsibility for
USDA's overseas market information, access, and development programs. It
also administers USDA's export assistance and foreign food assistance
programs. The Service carries out its tasks through its network of
agricultural counselors, attaches, and trade officers stationed overseas
and its U.S.-based team of analysts, marketing specialists, negotiators,
and other professionals.
The Foreign Agricultural Service maintains a worldwide agricultural
intelligence and reporting system through its attache service. This
service consists of a team of professional agriculturalists posted in
more than 75 countries around the world. They represent the Department
of Agriculture and provide information and data on foreign government
agricultural policies, analyses of supply and demand conditions,
commercial trade relationships, and market opportunities.
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They report on more than 100 farm commodities, weather, economic
factors, and related subjects that affect agriculture and agricultural
trade.
At FAS in Washington, DC, agricultural economists and marketing
specialists analyze these and other reports. These analyses are
supplemented by accumulated background information and by the Crop
Condition Assessment system, which analyzes Landsat satellite, weather,
and other data.
To improve access for U.S. farm products abroad, FAS' international
trade policy specialists coordinate and direct USDA's responsibilities
in international trade agreement programs and negotiations. They
maintain an ongoing effort to reduce foreign trade barriers and
practices that discourage the export of U.S. farm products.
To follow foreign governmental actions that affect the market for
U.S. agricultural commodities, FAS relies on its agricultural counselors
and attaches. In Washington, a staff of international trade specialists
analyzes the trade policies and practices of foreign governments to
ensure conduct in conformance with international treaty obligations.
During international negotiations, FAS provides staff and support for
U.S. agricultural representation.
The Service has a continuing market development program to create,
service, and expand commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural
products. It carries out programs with nonprofit commodity groups called
Cooperators, trade associations, and State agriculture departments and
their regional associations. It manages market opportunity referral
services and organizes trade fairs and sales teams.
The Service's Office of the General Sales Manager also oversees
agricultural functions under the Public Law 480 Food for Peace Program,
title I (7 U.S.C. 1701); section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949
(7 U.S.C. 1431); the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) Export Credit
Guarantee Programs; several other export assistance programs; and direct
sales of Corporation-owned surplus commodities.
The Commodity Credit Corporation Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102)
and the Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-103) Programs
encourage the development or expansion of overseas markets for U.S.
agricultural commodities by providing guarantees on private financing of
U.S. exports to foreign buyers purchasing on credit terms.
The foreign buyer contracts for the purchase of U.S. commodities on
a deferred-payment basis of 3 years or less under GSM-102, or between 3
and 10 years under GSM-103. The foreign buyer's bank issues a letter of
credit to guarantee payment to the U.S. exporter or an assignee U.S.
lending institution. To receive the payment guarantee, the exporter
registers the sale with CCC prior to export and pays a guarantee fee.
The payment guarantee is implemented only if the foreign bank fails to
pay the exporter or the assignee U.S. lending institution.
The Corporation considers coverage on sales of any U.S. agricultural
commodity that has the potential of expanding U.S. export markets. A
U.S. exporter, private foreign buyer, or foreign government may submit
requests that may result in authorized guarantee coverage.
Several export assistance programs are designed to counter or offset
the adverse effects from competitors' unfair trade practices on U.S.
agriculture. These programs include the Export Enhancement Program (EEP)
and the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP).
Under EEP, USDA provides Corporation-owned commodities or cash as
export bonuses to make U.S. commodities more competitive in the world
marketplace. The DEIP and EEP programs are similar, but DEIP is
restricted to dairy products.
The Foreign Agricultural Service is also responsible for sales of
Corporation-owned surplus commodities to private trade, foreign
government, and nonprofit organizations. Direct sales may be negotiated
on a case-by-case basis and on a cash or credit basis. The only
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criteria for financing direct sales are a 3-year maximum credit plan
and the arrangement of suitable payment terms.
Another program authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 is the Market Promotion Program, formerly known as
Targeted Export Assistance (TEA). The Market Promotion Program provides
assistance in the form of cash or commodities to trade promotion
organizations to help fund their market development activities overseas,
particularly in those markets where the United States encounters unfair
trade practices by foreign competitors or importers.
The Service helps other USDA agencies, U.S. universities, and others
enhance America's agricultural competitiveness globally; and increases
income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing
expertise for agriculturally led economic growth.
The Service's programs enhance U.S. agriculture's competitiveness by
providing U.S. agriculturalists and scientists with linkages to world
resources. These linkages often produce new germplasm and technologies
that can be vital to improving our current agricultural base and
producing new and alternative products. They also foster relationships
and understandings that result in trade opportunities and strengthened
strategic and political ties.
The Service is a link between the technical expertise of the U.S.
agricultural community and Third World nations. By sharing agricultural
knowledge with less-developed nations, the United States provides tools
to help build stable economies and a more prosperous world. In the
process, less- developed nations overcome the barriers of hunger and
poverty and gain the economic means to buy needed goods and services in
the world marketplace.
Also, it manages programs to exchange visits, germplasm, and
technologies between U.S. and international scientists; supports
collaborative research projects of mutual interest to the United States
and other nations; taps the U.S. agricultural community to provide
technical assistance and professional development and training programs
to assist economic development in lower income nations; serves as U.S.
liaison with international organizations; and organizes overseas trade
and investment missions.
These activities serve the needs of other USDA agencies, the Agency
for International Development, other public and private institutions,
foreign nations, development banks, and the U.S. university and
agricultural communities.
For further information, contact the Information Division, Foreign
Agricultural Service, Deparment of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-
1000. Phone, 202-720-7115.
Research, Education, and Economics
This mission area's main focus is to create, apply, and transfer
knowledge and technology to provide affordable food and fiber, ensure
foods safety and nutrition, and support rural development and natural
resource needs of people by conducting integrated national and
international research, information, education, and statistical programs
and services that are in the national interest.
Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) provides access to agricultural
information and develops new knowledge and technology needed to solve
technical agricultural problems of broad scope and high national
priority. The goal is to ensure adequate availability of high quality,
safe food, and other agricultural products--to meet the nutritional
needs of the American
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consumer, sustain a viable and competitive food and agricultural
economy, enhance the quality of life and economic opportunity for rural
citizens and society as a whole, and maintain a quality environment and
natural resource base.
All administrative and management responsibilities of the four
Research, Education, and Economic agencies--Agricultural Research
Service (ARS), Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service (CSREES), Economic Research Service (ERS), and National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)--are administered by the ARS
Administrative and Financial
Management Unit headquartered in Washington, DC.
Research activities are carried out at 114 domestic locations
(including Puerto Rico) and 2 overseas locations. Much of this research
is conducted in cooperation with partners in State universities and
experiment stations, other Federal agencies, and private organizations.
A national program staff, headquartered in Beltsville, MD, is the focal
point in the overall planning and coordination of ARS' research
programs. Day-to-day management of the respective programs for specific
field locations is assigned to eight area offices.
Area Offices--Agricultural Research Service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office Address
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELTSVILLE AREA--Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, National Arboretum, Bldg. 003, Beltsville
Washington, DC Agricultural Research Ctr. W.,
Beltsville, MD 20705
MIDSOUTH AREA--Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee P.O. Box 225, Stoneville, MS
38776
MIDWEST AREA--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, 1815 N. University St., Peoria,
Wisconsin IL 61804
NORTHERN PLAINS AREA--Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Suite 150, 1201 Oakridge Rd.,
Dakota, Utah, Wyoming Fort Collins, CO 80525-5562
NORTH ATLANTIC AREA--Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 600 E. Mermaid Ln.,
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Philadelphia, PA 19118
Virginia
PACIFIC WEST AREA--Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA
Washington 94710
SOUTH ATLANTIC AREA--Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South P.O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30613
Carolina, Virgin Islands, Virginia
SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA--Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas Suite 230, 7607 Eastmark Dr.,
College Station, TX 77840
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The National Agricultural Library (NAL), administered by ARS,
provides information services over a broad range of agricultural
interests to a wide cross-section of users, from research scientists to
the general public. The Library assists its users through a variety of
specialized information centers. Its staff utilizes advanced information
technologies to generate new information products, creating an
electronic library as it improves access to the knowledge stored in its
multimedia collection of more than 2 million items.
Information is made available through loans, photocopies, reference
services, and literature searches. A subject profiling system for
selective searches of agricultural data bases is available for USDA
scientists. Citations to the agricultural literature are stored in the
AGRICultural OnLine Access (AGRICOLA) data base, available through
online computer systems and on compact disc. The Library also
distributes in the United States the AGRIS data base of citations to the
agricultural literature prepared by centers in various parts of the
world and coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations.
For further information, contact the Information Staff, Agricultural
Research Service, Department of Agriculture, 6303 Ivy Lane, Room 450,
Greenbelt, MD 20770. Phone, 301-344-2340.
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Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) expands the research and higher education functions of the
former Cooperative State Research Service and the education and outreach
functions of the former Extension Service. The result is better customer
service and an enhanced ability to respond to national priorities.
CSREES links the research and education resources and activities of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and works with the following
institutions: land-grant institutions in each State, territory, and the
District of Columbia; more than 130 colleges of agriculture; 59
agricultural experiment stations; 57 cooperative extension services; 63
schools of forestry; sixteen 1890 historically Black land-grant
institutions and Tuskegee University; 27 colleges of veterinary
medicine; 42 schools and colleges of family and consumer services;
twenty-nine 1994 Native American land-grant institutions; and 127
Hispanic-serving institutions, including 81 members and 45 associate
members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
In cooperation with its partners and customers, CSREES provides the
focus to advance a global system of research, extension, and higher
education in the food and agricultural sciences and related
environmental and human sciences to benefit people, communities, and the
Nation.
The CSREES mission emphasizes partnerships with the public and
private sectors to maximize the effectiveness of limited resources.
CSREES programs increase and provide access to scientific knowledge;
strengthen the capabilities of land-grant and other institutions in
research, extension, and higher education; increase access to and use of
improved communication and network systems; and promote informed
decisionmaking by producers, families, and social conditions in the
United States and globally. These conditions include improved
agricultural and other economic enterprises; safer, cleaner water, food,
and air; enhanced stewardship and management of natural resources;
healthier, more responsible and more productive individuals, families,
and communities; and a stable, secure, diverse, and affordable national
food supply.
CSREES' research, extension, and education leadership is provided
through programs in Plant and Animal Production, Protection, and
Processing; Natural Resources and Environment; Rural, Economic, and
Social Development; Families, 4-H, and Nutrition; Partnerships;
Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management; Science and Education
Resources Development; and Communications, Technology, and Distance
Education.
The CSREES partnership with the land-grant universities and their
representatives is critical to the effective shared planning, delivery,
and accountability for research, higher education, and extension
programs.
CSREES is a recognized leader in the design, organization, and
application of advanced communication technologies and in meeting the
growing demand for enhanced distance education capabilities. CSREES
provides essential community access to research and education knowledge
and connects the private citizen to other Federal Government
information.
CSREES also provides support and assistance for the Joint Council on
Food and Agricultural Sciences, the National Agricultural Research and
Extension Users Advisory Board, and the Committee of Nine (for regional
programs).
For further information, contact the Communications, Information, and
Distance Education Office, Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-0906.
Internet: CSREES@reeusda.gov. Phone, 202-720-3029. Fax, 202-690-0289.
TDD, 702-690-1899.
Economic Research Service
The mission of the Economic Research Service (ERS) is to provide
economic and other social science information and
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analysis for public and private decisions on agriculture, food natural
resources, and rural America. ERS produces such information for use by
the general public and to help the executive and legislative branches
develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and rural policies and
programs. ERS produces economic information through a program of
research and analysis on: domestic and international agricultural
developments; statistical indicators of food and consumer issues and
concerns, including nutrition education and food assistance, food safety
regulation, determinants of consumer demand for quality and safety, and
food marketing trends and developments; agricultural resource and
environmental issues; and the effect of public and private actions and
policies on national rural and agricultural conditions, including the
transformation of the rural economy, the financial performance of the
farm sector, and the implications of changing farm credit and financial
market structures.
For further information, contact the Information Services Division,
Economics Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20005-4788. Phone, 202-219-0515.
Office of Energy and New Uses The Office of Energy and New Uses serves
as the focal point for all energy-related matters within the Department.
The Office is responsible for developing and coordinating all USDA
energy policies; reviewing and evaluating all USDA energy and energy-
related programs; evaluating the economics of new non-food uses for
agricultural crops; serving as economic liaison on new uses issues; and
providing liaison with the Department of Energy and other Federal
agencies and departments on energy activities that may affect
agriculture and rural America. A major component of this responsibility
for the coordination and evaluation of the departmental Biofuels
Program. The Office also represents the Department in meetings with
agriculture, industry, and consumer groups to discuss effects of
departmental energy policies, programs, and proposals on the
agricultural sector and rural economy.
For further information, contact the Information Services Division,
Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20005-4788. Phone, 202-219-0515.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
The National Agricultural Statistics Service prepares estimates and
reports on production, supply, price, and other items necessary for the
orderly operation of the U.S. agricultural economy.
The reports include statistics on field crops, fruits and
vegetables, dairy, cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, aquaculture, and
related commodities or processed products. Other estimates concern farm
numbers, farm production expenditures, agricultural chemical use, prices
received by farmers for products sold, prices paid for commodities and
services, indexes of prices received and paid, parity prices, farm
employment, and farm wage rates.
The Service prepares these estimates through a complex system of
sample surveys of producers, processors, buyers, and others associated
with agriculture. Information is gathered by mail, telephone, personal
interviews, and field visits.
The 45 State-Federal offices, serving all 50 States, and the
national office prepare weekly, monthly, annual, and other periodic
reports for free distribution to the news media, Congress, and survey
respondents. The reports are available to others on a subscription
basis. Information on crop and livestock products appears in about 400
reports issued annually. Cooperative agreements with State agencies also
permit preparation and publication of estimates of individual crops and
livestock by counties in most States.
The Service performs reimbursable survey work and statistical
consulting services for other Federal and State agencies and provides
technical assistance for developing agricultural data systems in other
countries.
Economics Management Staff
The Economics Management Staff provides management services to the
National Agricultural Statistics Service,
[[Page 139]]
the Economic Research Service, the World Agricultural Outlook Board,
the Economic Analysis Staff, and the Office of Energy. These services
include budget, financial management, personnel and related programs,
administrative services, information, equal opportunity and civil
rights, and general management assistance.
For further information, contact the Information Division, Economics
Management Staff, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20005-4789.
Phone, 202-219-0504.
Natural Resources and Environment
This mission area is responsible for fostering sound stewardship of 75
percent of the Nation's total land area. Ecosystems underpin the
operating philosophy of the service in order to maximize stewardship of
our natural resources. The ecosystem approach ensures that products,
values, services, and uses desired by people are produced in ways that
sustain healthy, productive ecosystems.
Forest Service
[For the Forest Service statement of organization, see the Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 36, Part 200.1]
The Forest Service was created by the Transfer Act of February 1, 1905
(16 U.S.C. 472), which transferred the Federal forest reserves and the
responsibility for their management from the Department of the Interior
to the Department of Agriculture. The forest reserves were established
by the President from the public domain under authority of the Creative
Act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. 1103). The protection and development of
the reserves (which became the national forests in 1907) are governed by
the Organic Act of June 4, 1897, as amended (16 U.S.C. 473-478); the
Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of June 12, 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528-531);
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16
U.S.C. 1601-1610); and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90
Stat. 2947). The Weeks Law of March 1, 1911, as amended (16 U.S.C. 480),
allowed the Government to purchase and exchange land for national
forests.
Objectives The Forest Service has the Federal responsibility for
national leadership in forestry. As set forth in law, its mission is to
achieve quality land management under the sustainable, multiple-use
management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. To accomplish
this goal, it has adopted objectives which include:
--advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the health,
productivity, diversity, and beauty of forests and associated lands;
--listening to people and responding to their diverse needs in
making decisions;
--protecting and managing the national forests and grasslands to
best demonstrate the sustainable, multiple-use management concept;
--providing technical and financial assistance to State and private
forest landowners, encouraging them toward active stewardship and
quality land management in meeting their specific objectives;
--providing technical and financial assistance to cities and
communities to improve their natural environment by planting trees and
caring for their forests;
--providing international technical assistance and scientific
exchanges to sustain and enhance global resources and to encourage
quality land management;
--assisting States and communities in using the forests wisely to
promote rural economic development and a quality rural environment;
--developing and providing scientific and technical knowledge,
improving our capability to protect, manage, and use forests and
rangelands; and
--providing work, training, and education to the unemployed,
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underemployed, elderly, youth, and the disadvantaged.
National Forest System The Service manages 155 national forests, 20
national grasslands, and 8 land utilization projects on over 191 million
acres in 44 States, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico under the
principles of multiple-use and sustained yield. The Nation's tremendous
need for wood and paper products is balanced with the other vital,
renewable resources or benefits that the national forests and grasslands
provide: recreation and natural beauty, wildlife habitat, livestock
forage, and water supplies. The guiding principle is the greatest good
to the greatest number in the long run.
These lands are protected as much as possible from wildfire,
epidemics of disease and insect pests, erosion, floods, and water and
air pollution. Burned areas get emergency seeding treatment to prevent
massive erosion and stream siltation. Roads and trails are built where
needed to allow for closely regulated timber harvesting and to give the
public access to outdoor recreation areas and provide scenic drives and
hikes. Picnic, camping, water-sport, skiing, and other areas are
provided with facilities for public convenience and enjoyment. Timber
harvesting methods are used that will protect the land and streams,
assure rapid renewal of the forest, provide food and cover for wildlife
and fish, and have minimum impact on scenic and recreation values. Local
communities benefit from the logging and milling activities. These lands
also provide needed oil, gas, and minerals. Rangelands are improved for
millions of livestock and game animals. The national forests provide a
refuge for many species of endangered birds, animals, and fish. Some
34.6 million acres are set aside as wilderness and 175,000 acres as
primitive areas where timber will not be harvested.
Cooperation With the States The Service provides national leadership
and financial and technical assistance to non-Federal forest landowners,
operators, processors of forest products, and urban forestry interests.
Through its cooperative State and private forestry programs, the Service
protects and improves the quality of air, water, soil, and open space
and encourages uses of natural resources on non-Federal lands that best
meet the needs of the Nation, while protecting the environment.
Cooperative programs are carried out through the State foresters or
equivalent State officials, who receive grant funding under the
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101).
Cooperators at the State and local levels provide the delivery system
for most State and private forestry programs.
Grant funds and technical assistance are available for rural
forestry assistance, forestry incentives, insect and disease control,
urban forestry assistance, rural fire prevention and control,
organization management assistance, State forest resource planning, and
technology implementation.
The Service also cooperates with the Soil Conservation Service, the
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and other USDA
agencies in providing leadership and technical assistance for the
forestry aspects of conservation programs.
State and private forestry also is responsible for ensuring that the
Service and its cooperators keep abreast of the best knowledge and
technology in carrying out its programs, and helping to develop
technology transfer plans for implementing research results for a broad
range of potential users.
Forest Research The Service performs basic and applied research to
develop the scientific information and technology needed to protect,
manage, use, and sustain the natural resources of the Nation's 1.6
billion acres of forests and rangelands. This research is conducted
through a network of eight forest experiment stations, a Forest Products
Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry,
including research work units at 77 project locations throughout the
United States, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Trust Islands. Under the
authority of the McSweeny-McNary Act of May 22, 1928, as amended and
supplemented (45 Stat. 699), research is often performed in cooperation
with many of the State
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agricultural colleges. The Forest Research Service's strategy focuses
on three major program components: understanding the structure and
functions of forest and range ecosystems; understanding how people
perceive and value the protection, management, and use of natural
resources; and determining which protection, management, and utilization
practices are most suitable for sustainable production and use of the
world's natural resources.
International Forestry In response to the U.S. commitment to support
natural resource conservation around the world, Congress established the
International Forestry Division within the USDA's Forest Service. Its
mandate is to provide assistance that promotes sustainable development
and global environmental stability, particularly in key countries
important in global climate change. This mandate includes a national
goal for sustainable management of all forests by the year 2000,
investigating research topics with implications for global forest
management, or actually sharing resource management experience with
colleagues around the world.
Responsibility for global stewardship is shared by the entire Forest
Service. The Forest Service's Office of International Forestry mobilizes
support of all Forest Service units--Research, National Forest System,
State and Private Forestry, Administration, and Programs and
Legislation--to work with other governmental agencies, nongovernmental
groups, and international organizations in four major international
areas: strategic planning and policy development, training and technical
assistance, research and scientific exchange, and disaster relief.
Human Resource Programs The Service operates the Youth Conservation
Corps and the Volunteers in the National Forests programs and
participates with the Department of Labor on several human resource
programs that involve the Nation's citizens, both young and old, in
forestry-related activities. Included in these programs are the Job
Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program. These
programs annually accomplish millions of dollars worth of conservation
work, while providing participants with such benefits as training, paid
employment, and meaningful outdoor experience.
Field Offices--Forest Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Forest System Regions\1\--Regional Forester
1. Northern Federal Bldg. (P.O. Box 7669),
Missoula, MT 59807
2. Rocky Mountain 740 Simms St. (P.O. Box 25127),
Lakewood, CO 80225
3. Southwestern 517 Gold Ave. SW., Albuquerque, NM
87102
4. Intermountain 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401
5. Pacific Southwest 630 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA
94111
6. Pacific Northwest 333 SW. 1st Ave. (P.O. Box 3623),
Portland, OR 97208
8. Southern 1720 Peachtree Rd. NW., Atlanta, GA
30367
9. Eastern 310 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI
53203
10. Alaska Federal Office Bldg. (P.O. Box
21628), Juneau, AK 99802
Forest and Range Experiment Stations--Director
Intermountain 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401
North Central 1992 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108
Northeastern Suite 200, 100 Matson Ford Rd. (P.O.
Box 6775), Radnor, PA 19087-4585
Pacific Northwest 333 SW. 1st Ave. (P.O. Box 3890),
Portland, OR 97208
Pacific Southwest 1960 Addison St. (P.O. Box 245),
Berkeley, CA 94701
Rocky Mountain 240 W. Prospect Ave., Fort Collins,
CO 80526
Southeastern 200 Weaver Blvd. (P.O. Box 2860),
Asheville, NC 28804
Southern 701 Loyola Ave., U.S. Postal Service
Bldg., New Orleans, LA 70113
Forest Products Laboratory 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI
53705
State and Private Forestry Areas\2\--Director
Northeastern 370 Reed Rd., Broomall, PA 19008
International Guadecanal St. (Call Box 25000), Rio
Institute of Piedras, PR 00928
Tropical
Forestry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\There is no Region 7.
\2\In Regions 1 through 6, 8, and 10, State and private forestry
activities are directed from regional headquarters.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Office, Forest
Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC
20090-6090. Phone, 202-720-3760.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[For the Natural Resources Conservation Service statement of
organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Parts 600
and 601]
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly the Soil
Conservation Service, has national responsibility for helping America's
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farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners develop and carry out
voluntary efforts to conserve and protect our natural resources. NRCS is
the technical delivery arm for conservation of the United States
Department of Agriculture.
NRCS key programs are as follows:
Conservation Technical Assistance This is the foundation program of
NRCS. Under this program, the agency provides technical assistance to
land users and units of government for the purpose of sustaining
agricultural productivity and protecting and enhancing the natural
resource base. This assistance is based on the voluntary cooperation of
private landowners and involves comprehensive approaches to reduce soil
erosion, improve soil and water quantity and quality, improve and
conserve wetlands, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve air
quality, improve pasture and range condition, reduce upstream flooding,
and improve woodlands. Every year, more than 1 million land users
receive these technical services, which are channeled through nearly
3,000 conservation districts across the United States and its
territories.
Natural Resources Inventory The Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) is a
report issued every 5 years on how well the Nation is sustaining natural
resources on non-Federal land. This report contains the most
comprehensive and statistically reliable data of its kind in the world.
The NRI provides data on the kind and amount of soil, water, vegetation,
and related resources; the effects of current land use and management
practices on the present and future supply and condition of soil, water,
and vegetation; and the changes and trends in the use, extent, and
condition of these resources. NRI data and analytical software are
available to the public on CD-ROM.
National Cooperative Soil Survey The National Cooperative Soil Survey
provides the public with local information on the uses and capabilities
of their soils. The published soil survey for a county or other
designated area includes maps and interpretations that are the
foundation for farm planning and other private land use decisions as
well as for resource planning and policy by local, State, and Federal
Governments. The surveys are conducted cooperatively with other Federal,
State, and local agencies and land grant universities. NRCS is the
national and world leader in soil classification and soil mapping, and
is now expanding its work in soil quality.
Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program This program collects
snowpack moisture data and forecasts seasonal water supplies for streams
that derive most of their water from snowmelt. It helps farm operators,
rural communities, and municipalities manage water resources through
water supply forecasts. It also provides hydrometeorological data for
regulating reservoir storage and managing streamflow. The Snow Supply
Program is conducted in 11 Western States and Alaska.
Plant Materials Program At 26 plant materials centers across the
country, NRCS tests, selects, and ensures the commercial availability of
new and improved conservation plants for erosion reduction, wetland
restoration, water quality improvement, streambank and riparian area
protection, coastal dune stabilization, biomass production, carbon
sequestration, and other needs. The Plant Materials Program is a
cooperative effort with conservation districts, other Federal and State
agencies, commercial businesses, and seed and nursery associations.
River Basin Surveys and Investigations This program involves NRCS with
Federal, State, and local agencies in river basin surveys and
investigations, flood hazard analysis, and floodplain management
assistance. It addresses a variety of natural resource concerns--water
quality, water conservation, wetlands protection, agricultural drought,
rural development, municipal and industrial water needs, and fish and
wildlife habitat.
Public Law 83-566 Small Watersheds Program The Small Watersheds Program
helps local sponsoring groups
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to voluntarily plan and install watershed protection projects on
private lands. These projects include flood prevention, water quality
improvement, soil erosion and sediment reduction, rural and municipal
water supply, irrigation water management, fish and wildlife habitat
enhancement, and wetlands restoration. NRCS helps local community
groups, government entities, and private landowners working together
using an integrated, comprehensive watershed approach to natural
resource planning.
Public Law 78-534 Flood Prevention Program This program applies to 11
specific flood prevention projects covering about 35 million acres in 11
States. It provides help in flood prevention, water management, and
reduction and erosion sedimentation. It also can help in developing
recreational facilities and improving fish and wildlife habitat.
Emergency Watershed Protection Program This program provides emergency
assistance to safeguard lives and property in jeopardy due to sudden
watershed impairment by natural disasters. Emergency work includes
quickly establishing a protective plant cover on denuded land and stream
banks; opening dangerously restricted channels; and repairing diversions
and levees. An emergency area need not be declared a national disaster
area to be eligible for help under this program.
Great Plains Conservation Program This program (GPCP) helps bring about
long-term solutions to natural resource problems in the 10 Great Plains
States. It is aimed at total conservation treatment of entire farms or
ranches. Program participation is voluntary and provides technical
assistance and a long-term cost-share contract between the participant
and NRCS. GPCP has been effective in addressing the needs of socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and the needs of American Indian
farmers and ranchers. In addition to providing significant erosion and
sediment reduction benefits, the program addresses problems related to
water quality, wildlife habitat protection, and other environmental
concerns.
Resource Conservation and Development Program This program (RC&D) is a
locally driven program--an opportunity for civic-oriented groups to work
together sharing knowledge and resources in solving common problems
facing their region. The program offers aid in balancing the
environmental, economic, and social needs of an area. A USDA coordinator
helps each designated RC&D council plan, develop, and carry out programs
for resource conservation, water management, community development, and
environmental enhancement.
Rural Abandoned Mine Program This program (RAMP) helps protect people
and the environment from the adverse effects of past coal-mining
practices and promotes the development of the soil and water resources
on unreclaimed mine land. It provides technical and financial assistance
to land users who voluntarily enter into 5-to-10-year contracts for the
reclamation of eligible land and water.
Wetlands Reserve Program Under this program, USDA purchases easements
from agricultural land owners who voluntarily agree to restore and
protect wetlands. NRCS employees help these owners develop plans to
retire critical wetland habitat for crop production. The primary
objectives are to preserve and restore wetlands, improve wildlife
habitat, and protect migratory waterfowl.
Water Bank Program NRCS helps landowners protect, improve, or restore
wetlands by identifying eligible lands, helping owners develop
conservation plans, and implementing necessary land treatments. Through
10-year rental agreements between USDA and landowners, the Water Bank
Program protects important nesting, breeding, and feeding areas for
migratory waterfowl. Other benefits of the program include water
conservation, erosion control, flood control, and landscape
beautification.
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program This voluntary incentive
program supports the Nation's commitment to water quality in the
Colorado River, which provides water to
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more than 18 million people in parts of seven Western States and
Mexico. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to control salt
loading in the Colorado River from both natural and human-caused
sources. Among the remedies used are management practices to prevent
irrigation-induced erosion.
Forestry Incentives Program This program helps to increase the Nation's
supply of products from nonindustrial private forest lands. This also
ensures more effective use of existing forest lands and, over time,
helps to prevent shortages and price increases for forest products. The
program shares the cost incurred by landowners for tree planting and
timberstand improvement.
Farms-For-The-Future Program This program guarantees USDA loans and
subsidizes interest on State loans to purchase agricultural land or
development rights to preserve vital farmland resources for future
generations. The money also can be reinvested by the States to generate
earnings for future farmland protection efforts.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box
2890, Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-720-3210.
________________________________________________________________________
Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Fourteenth Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250
Phone, 202-401-9129
Director Philip H. Hudson
Deputy Director Lynn Edwards
Program Director, Center for Applied Technology Nat Hopkins
Program Director, Correspondence Study Norma Harwood
Director of Information and Public Affairs Brian Gray
Program Director, Evening and Saturday Ronald MacNab
Program Director, Government Audit Training Donald Smuland
Institute
Program Director, International Training Jane Burke
Program Director, International Visitor and Lily Parsons
Exchange
Director of Administration William Capezio
Registrar Carolyn Nelson
________________________________________________________________________
The Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a continuing
education school offering career-related training to adults. It is self-
supporting and does not receive direct appropriated funds from Congress
or the Department of Agriculture. Fees charged individuals and
Government agencies are nominal. Courses are planned with the assistance
of Government professionals and specialists. The faculty is mostly part-
time and is drawn from throughout Government and the community at large.
They are selected because of their professional and specialized
knowledge and experience and thus bring a practicality and experience to
their classrooms. Faculty holding regular Government positions take
annual leave or leave without pay when teaching during their normal work
hours. The school does not grant degrees but does provide planned
sequences of courses leading to certificates of accomplishment in a
number of occupational and career fields important to government.
Training areas include management, auditing, computer science,
communications, foreign language, procurement, financial management, and
others.
[[Page 145]]
The Graduate School's objective is to improve Government services by
providing needed continuing education and training opportunities for
Government employees and agencies. The Graduate School, administered by
a Director and governed by a General Administration Board appointed by
the Secretary of Agriculture, was established by the Secretary of
Agriculture on September 2, 1921, pursuant to act of May 15, 1862 (7
U.S.C. 2201); joint resolution of April 12, 1892 (27 Stat. 395); and the
Deficiencies Appropriation Act of March 3, 1901 (20 U.S.C. 91).
For further information, contact the Information Office, Graduate
School, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 129, 600 Maryland Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone, 202-401-9129.
Sources of Information
Consumer Activities Educational, organizational, and financial
assistance is offered to consumers and their families in such fields as
rural housing and farm operating programs, improved nutrition, family
living and recreation, food stamp, school lunch, donated foods, and
other food programs. Phone, 202-447-2791.
Contracts and Small Business Activities Contact the Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-7117.
Employment Most jobs in the Department are in the competitive service
and are filled by applicants who have established eligibility under an
appropriate examination administered by the Office of Personnel
Management or Department Special Examining Units.
General employment inquiries may be sent to the Recruitment and
Employment Division, Office of Personnel, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-5626.
Persons interested in employment in the Food and Nutrition Service
should contact the Regional Offices located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, and Robbinsville, NJ, or the national
headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Phone, 703-305-2351.
Persons interested in employment in the Office of the Inspector
General should contact the USDA Office of Personnel, Room 31-W,
Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-5781.
In addition, all Forest Service field units listed on page 141 will
accept employment applications.
Environment Educational, organizational, technical, and financial
assistance is offered to local citizens, their organizations and
communities in such fields as watershed protection, flood prevention,
soil and water conservation practices to reduce erosion and
sedimentation, community water and waste disposal systems, safe use of
pesticides, and the development of pesticide alternatives.
Contact the nearest county Extension agent or USDA office, or write
to the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Washington,
DC 20250, for information on consumer activities and the environment, as
previously described. Phone, 202-720-2791.
Films Motion pictures on a variety of agricultural subjects are
available for loan through various State Extension Service film
libraries. Contact the Video and Teleconference Division, Office of
Public Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, for a
listing of cooperating film libraries. Phone, 202-720-6072.
Color filmstrips and slide sets on a variety of subjects are
available for purchase. For a listing of titles and prices, contact the
Photography Division, Office of Public Affairs, Department of
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-6633.
Whistleblower Hotline Persons wishing to register complaints of alleged
improprieties concerning the Department
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should contact one of the Regional Offices or the Inspector General's
``Whistleblower Hotline''--outside Washington, DC, phone toll-free, 800-
424-9121; within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, phone, 202-690-
1622, or 202-690-1202 (TDD).
Reading Rooms Located at each USDA agency; addresses indicated in text.
Speakers Contact the nearest Department of Agriculture office or county
Extension agent. In the District of Columbia, contact the Office of
Public Liaison, Office of Public Affairs, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-2798.
For further information concerning the Department of Agriculture,
contact the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-2791.