[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.


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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. 

[[Page 134]]
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 

[[Page 136]]

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.

[[Page 137]]


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: [email protected]. 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 

[[Page 138]]
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, 

[[Page 140]]
    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 

[[Page 141]]
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 

[[Page 142]]
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 

[[Page 143]]
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 

[[Page 144]]
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 

[[Page 146]]
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.