[DOCID:211657tx_xxx-31]
From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 103-126]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250
Phone, 202-720-4623. Internet, www.usda.gov.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE Mike Johanns
Deputy Secretary Charles F. Conner
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Mark Keenum
Agricultural Services
Deputy Under Secretaries Floyd Gaibler,
(vacancy)
Administrator, Farm Service Agency Teresa C. Lasseter
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Michael W. Yost
Service
Administrator, Risk Management Eldon F. Gould
Agency
Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Nancy M. Johner
Consumer Services
Deputy Under Secretary Kate Coler
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Roberto Salazar
Service
Executive Director, Center for Eric Hentges
Nutrition Policy and
Promotion
Under Secretary for Food Safety Richard Raymond
Deputy Under Secretary Curt Mann
Administrator, Food Safety and David P. Goldman,
Inspection Service Acting
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Mark E. Rey
Environment
Deputy Under Secretaries Dave Tenny, (vacancy)
Chief, Forest Service Abigail Kimbell
Chief, Natural Resources Arlen Lancaster
Conservation Service
Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Gale A. Buchanan
Economics
Deputy Under Secretary Merle D. Pierson
Administrator, Agricultural Research Edward B. Knipling
Service
Administrator, Cooperative State Colien Hefferan
Research, Education, and
Extension Service
Administrator, Economic Research Katherine Smith,
Service Acting
Administrator, National Agricultural Ron Bosecker
Statistics Service
Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr
Deputy Under Secretary Douglas Faulkner
Administrator, Business and Jackie J. Gleason
Cooperative Programs
Administrator, Housing and Community Russell Davis
Facilities Programs
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Administrator, Utilities Programs James Andrew
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations Linda A. Strachan
Deputy Assistant Secretary Bruce Blanton
Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Bruce Knight
Programs
Deputy Under Secretaries J. Burton Eller,
Chuck Lambert
Administrator, Agricultural Lloyd C. Day
Marketing Service
Administrator, Animal and Plant Ron DeHaven
Health Inspection Service
Administrator, Grain Inspection, James Link
Packers, and Stockyards
Administration
Assistant Secretary for Administration Boyd K. Rutherford
Deputy Assistant Secretary Gilbert L. Smith, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Contract Appeals Stephen M. Daniels
Judicial Officer William G. Jenson
Chief Judge, Administrative Law Marc Hillson
Judges
Director, Office of Ethics Raymond Sheehan
Director, Office of Human Capital Roberta D. Purcell
Management
Director, Office of Operations Priscilla B. Carey
Director, Office of Procurement and Glenn Haggstrom
Property Management
Director, Office of Security Warren R. Ashworth
Services
Director, Office of Small and James E. House
Disadvantaged Business
Utilization
Director, Conflict Resolution and Dale Gentry
Prevention Center
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Margo M. McKay
Deputy Assistant Secretary Annabelle Romero
Associate Assistant Secretary Clyde Thompson
Director, Office of Civil Rights Sadhna G. True
Director, Office of Outreach Gladys Vaughn
Chief Information Officer Dave Combs
Deputy Chief Information Officer Jerry E. Williams
Chief Financial Officer Charles Christopherson
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Patricia Healy
General Counsel Marc L. Kesselman
Deputy General Counsel J. Michael Kelly
Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong
Deputy Inspector General Kathleen S. Tighe
Director, Office of Communications Terri Teuber
Chief Economist Keith Collins
Deputy Chief Economist Joseph Glauber
Director, Office of Risk Assessment James Schaub
and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Chairman, World Agricultural Outlook Gerald Bange
Board
Director, Global Change Program Office William Hohenstein
Director, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses Roger Conway
Director, National Appeals Division Roger J. Klurfeld
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Director, Office of Budget and Program Analysis Scott Steele
Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat Bruce Bundick
[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 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.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created by act of May 15, 1862
(7 U.S.C. 2201).
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 the Chief Information
Officer, Office of Communications, Office of Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations, Office of the Inspector General, and the
Office of the General Counsel.
Rural Development
USDA's rural development mission is to assist rural Americans to
increase their economic opportunities and improve their quality of life.
To accomplish this, USDA works to foster new cooperative relationships
among Government, industry, and communities. As a capital investment
bank, USDA provides financing for rural housing and community
facilities, business and cooperative development, telephone and high-
speed Internet access, electric, water, and sewer infrastructure.
Approximately 800 rural development field offices, staffed by 7,000
employees, provide frontline delivery of rural development loan and
grant programs at the local level.
Rural Business-Cooperative Programs
To meet business credit needs in underserved areas, USDA rural
development business programs are usually leveraged with commercial,
cooperative, or other private sector lenders. USDA's business programs
are as follows:
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans This program helps create jobs
and stimulates rural economies by providing financial backing for rural
businesses. Loan proceeds may be used for working capital, machinery and
equipment, buildings and real estate, and certain types of debt
refinancing.
Business Enterprise These grants help public bodies, nonprofit
corporations, and federally recognized Indian tribal groups finance and
facilitate development of small and emerging private business
enterprises located in rural areas. Grant funds can pay for the
acquisition and development of land and the construction of buildings,
plants, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utility and
service extensions, refinancing, and fees for professional services, as
well as technical assistance and related training, startup costs and
working capital, financial assistance to a third party,
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production of television programs targeted to rural residents, and rural
distance learning networks.
Business Opportunities This program promotes sustainable economic
development in rural communities with exceptional needs. Funds are
provided for technical assistance, training, and planning activities
that improve economic conditions. Applicants must be located in rural
areas.
Renewable Energy and Efficiency Loans and Grants This program
encourages agricultural producers and small rural businesses to create
renewable and energy-efficient systems.
Cooperative Development These grants finance the establishment and
operation of centers for cooperative development. The primary purpose of
this program is to enhance the economic condition of rural areas through
the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing
cooperatives, and encourage the development of value-added ventures.
Cooperative Opportunities and Problems Research This program encourages
research, funded through cooperative agreements, on critical issues
vital to the development and sustainability of agricultural and other
rural cooperatives as a means of improving the quality of life in
America's rural communities.
Cooperative Program This program helps farmers and rural communities
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
business structures, and developing strategies for growth. Applied
research is conducted to give farmers and rural communities expert
assistance pertaining to their cooperatives. The program also collects
and publishes statistics regarding the role and scope of cooperative
activity in U.S. agriculture. A bimonthly magazine, Rural Cooperatives,
reports current developments and research for cooperative management
leadership.
Economic Development These loans and grants finance economic
development and job creation projects based on sound economic plans in
rural areas. Loans and grants are available to any eligible USDA
electric or telecommunications borrower to assist in developing rural
areas from an economic standpoint, to create new job opportunities, and
to help retain existing employment. Loans at zero interest are made
primarily to finance business startup ventures and business expansion
projects. Grants are made to eligible telephone and electric utilities
to establish revolving loan programs operated at the local level. The
revolving loan program provides capital to nonprofit entities and
municipal organizations to finance business or community facilities
which promote job creation in rural areas, for facilities which extend
or improve medical care to rural residents, and for facilities which
promote education and training to enhance marketable job skills for
rural residents.
Intermediary Relending These loans finance business facilities and
community development projects in rural areas. The Service lends these
funds to intermediaries, which in turn provide loans to recipients who
are developing business facilities or community development projects.
Sheep Industry The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center promotes
strategic development activities to strengthen and enhance the
production and marketing of sheep and goat products in the United
States. It works to improve infrastructure and business development,
market and environmental research, and designs unique responses to the
needs of the industries for their long-term sustainable development. The
Center's board of directors oversees its
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activities and operates a revolving fund for loans and grants.
Technology Transfer This program provides information to farmers and
other rural users on a variety of sustainable agricultural practices
that include both cropping and livestock operations. It offers reliable,
practical information on production techniques and practices that reduce
costs and that are environmentally friendly. Farmers can request such
information by telephone at 800-346-9140.
For further information, contact the Rural Development, Legislative and
Public Affairs Staff, Stop 0705, Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0320. Phone, 202-720-4323.
Rural Housing Programs
Rural Development provides affordable rental housing, homeownership
opportunities, and essential community facilities to rural Americans
through a broad array of direct loan, guarantee, and grant programs.
Rural residents and communities may inquire about any of these programs
through local and State rural development offices. It also provides
financial and management assistance through the following services:
--guaranteed single-family housing (SFH) loans which guarantee loans
made by commercial lenders to moderate-income rural residents with
sufficient income and acceptable credit, who may lack the downpayment to
secure a loan without assistance;
--direct SFH loans made available to people with incomes less than
80 percent of area median, to build, purchase, and repair rural homes;
--home improvement and repair loans and grants for owner-occupants
to remove health and safety hazards from a home;
--mutual self-help housing technical assistance grants for nonprofit
organizations and public bodies to help groups of six to eight very low-
and low-income families to build their own homes by providing ``sweat
equity'' which reduces the families' mortgages;
--rural housing site loans for private or public nonprofit
organizations to purchase sites for the development of housing for very
low- and low-income families;
--direct and guaranteed multi-family housing loans for private
nonprofit corporations, consumer cooperatives, State or local public
agencies, and individuals or organizations operating on a nonprofit or
limited profit basis to provide rental or cooperative housing in rural
areas for persons of very low, low, and moderate income;
--farm labor housing loans and grants enabling farmers, public or
private nonprofit organizations, or units of local government to build,
buy, or rehabilitate farm labor housing;
--housing preservation grants made to a public body or public/
private nonprofit organization to provide assistance to homeowners and
landlords to repair and rehabilitate housing for very low- and low-
income families in rural areas;
--housing for the homeless, SFH real estate-owned (REO) property to
nonprofit organizations or public bodies for transitional housing for
the homeless and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to house
families affected by natural disasters; and
--community program loans, direct and guaranteed loans and grants
for public and quasi-public bodies, nonprofit associations, and Indian
tribes for essential community facilities such as health care centers,
public safety buildings and vehicles, and child care centers.
For further information, contact the Rural Development, Legislative and
Public Affairs Staff, Stop 0705, Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0320. Phone, 202-720-4323.
Rural Utilities Programs
Rural Development helps finance rural electric and telecommunications
utilities in obtaining financing and administers a nationwide water and
waste loan and grant program to improve the quality of life and promote
economic development in rural America. A total of 890 rural electric and
800 rural telecommunications utilities in 47 States, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Northern
Mariana Islands, and the
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Federated States of Micronesia have received financial assistance. It
also provides assistance through the following programs:
--The electric program provides loans for improving electric service
to persons in rural areas, including construction of electric generating
plants and transmission and distribution lines to provide reliable
electric service.
--The telecommunications program provides loans and grants to
improve telecommunications service and high-speed Internet access in
rural areas.
--The water and waste direct and guaranteed loan program provides
assistance to develop water and wastewater systems, including solid
waste disposal and storm drainage in rural areas, cities, and towns.
--Water and waste disposal grants assist in reducing water and waste
disposal costs to a reasonable level for users of the system.
--Emergency community water assistance grants provide assistance to
rural communities experiencing a significant decline in quantity or
quality of drinking water.
--Technical assistance and training grants are available to
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.
--Solid waste management grants are available for nonprofit
organizations and public bodies to provide technical assistance and
training to rural areas and towns to reduce or eliminate pollution of
water resources and improve planning and management of solid waste
facilities.
--The rural water circuit rider technical assistance program
provides technical assistance to rural water systems to solve
operational, financial, and management challenges.
--The distance learning and telemedicine program provides financing
to help rural schools and health care providers purchase or improve
telecommunications facilities and equipment to bring educational and
medical resources to rural areas that otherwise might be unavailable.
--Rural Development also guarantees loans from the Department of the
Treasury's Federal Financing Bank (FFB), which lends to borrowers,
primarily for large-scale electric and telecommunication facilities. It
may also guarantee electric and telecommunications loans from private
sources.
For further information, contact the Rural Development Legislative and
Public Affairs Staff, Department of Agriculture, Stop 0705, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0320. Phone, 202-720-4323.
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
This mission area includes marketing and regulatory programs other than
those concerned with food safety.
Agricultural Marketing Service
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 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, certification, market
news, marketing orders, research and 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, shipments, prices, location, quality, condition,
and other market data on farm products in specific markets and marketing
areas. The data is disseminated nationally via the Internet
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and other electronic means and is shared with several countries. The
Service also assists other countries in developing their own marketing
information systems.
Standardization, Grading, and Classing Nearly 600 grade standards have
been established for some 230 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 commodity 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 is also responsible for testing
seed.
Laboratory Testing The Service provides microbiological, chemical, and
other scientific laboratory support to its commodity and food
procurement programs, testing peanuts for aflatoxin, and testing seeds
for germination and purity. The Agency also carries out quality
assurance and safety oversight activities for its milk market
laboratories, 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 33 agricultural
commodities for pesticides residue. 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.
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. The Service provides voluntary laboratory analyses of
egg products, and monitors the disposition of restricted shell eggs--
eggs that are a potential health hazard.
Marketing Agreements and Orders The Service administers marketing
agreements and orders to establish and maintain orderly marketing
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 promote product quality control and 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 the orderly
marketing of commodities facilitated by these programs, the interests of
both producers and consumers are protected.
Plant Variety Protection Program 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 20 years for non-woody plants and 25 years for
woody plants.
Research and Promotion Programs The Service monitors certain industry-
sponsored research, promotion, and information programs authorized by
Federal laws. These programs provide
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farmers and processors with a means to finance and operate various
research, promotion, and information activities for cotton, potatoes,
eggs, milk and dairy products, beef, pork, honey, watermelon, mushrooms,
soybeans, blueberries, avocados, peanuts, and popcorn.
Transportation Programs The Service is also responsible for the
promotion of an efficient transportation system for rural America that
begins at the farm gate and 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.
Organic Standards The Service, with the assistance of the National
Organic Standards Board, develops 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; for increasing marketing efficiency
by developing improved operating methods and facilities; and for
certifying equipment for processing, handling, and distributing dairy,
poultry, and meat products.
Pesticide Recordkeeping Program The Agricultural Marketing Service
manages the Pesticide Recordkeeping Program in coordination with State
agencies, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the
Environmental Protection Agency. The Service has developed educational
programs and works with State agencies in inspecting applicator records.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Staff, Agricultural
Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Room 3510, South
Agriculture Building, Stop 0273, Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-
8998 or visit the Web site at www.ams.usda.gov.
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
depredation caused by birds, rodents, and predators.
Biotechnology Regulatory Services Biotechnology regulatory officials
are responsible for regulating the importation, movement, and field
release of genetically engineered plants, insects, microorganisms, and
any other known organism or potential plant pest.
Biotechnology regulations are designed to ensure that genetically
engineered organisms, such as herbicide-tolerant cotton or virus-
resistant papayas, are just as safe for agriculture and the environment
as traditionally bred crop varieties. In regulating biotechnology, the
Service works in concert with the Environmental Protection Agency and
the Food and Drug Administration, agencies that also play important
roles in
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protecting agriculture, a safe food supply, and the environment. Its
involvement begins when a person or organization wishes to import, move
across a State line, or field-test a genetically engineered plant. These
activities are subject to the Service's permitting and notification
system.
Plant Protection and Quarantine 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.
Plant protection officials develop Federal regulations and policies
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. These regulations and policies help protect
agricultural production and natural resources from pests and diseases.
The Service continues to take regulatory action on prohibited or
restricted products.
Veterinary Services Animal health officials are responsible for
programs to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability
of U.S. animals and animal products. The programs are carried out
through cooperative links with States, foreign governments, livestock
producers, and other Federal agencies.
Service officials exclude, control, and eradicate animal pests and
diseases by carrying out eradication and control programs for certain
diseases, providing diagnostic services, and gathering and disseminating
information regarding animal health in the United States through land,
air, and ocean ports. They also certify as to the health status of
animals and animal products being exported to other countries, and
respond to animal disease incursions or epidemics which threaten the
health status of U.S. livestock and poultry.
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. The
Service regulates firms that manufacture veterinary biological products
subject to the act, including licensing the manufacturing establishment
and its products, inspecting production facilities and production
methods, and testing products under a surveillance program.
Animal Care The Service administers Federal laws concerned with the
humane care and handling of all warm-blooded animals bought, sold, and
transported 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 enforces the Horse Protection Act of
1970, which prohibits the soring of horses at shows and sales.
International Services Service activities in the international arena
include conducting 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. The Service also provides international
representation concerning sanitary and phytosanitary technical trade
issues, and manages programs for overseas preclearance of commodities,
passengers, and U.S. military activities.
Wildlife Services Wildlife services officials cooperate with States,
counties, local communities, and agricultural producer groups to reduce
crop and livestock depredations caused by birds, rodents, and predators.
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; suppress serious nuisances and threats
to public health and safety caused by birds, rodents, and other wildlife
in urban and
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rural communities; and work with airport managers to reduce risks of
bird strikes. In addition, they 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.
For further information, contact Legislative and Public Affairs, Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC20250. Phone, 202-720-2511.
Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration
The Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) was
established in 1994 to facilitate the marketing of livestock, poultry,
meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and to
promote fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit
of consumers and American agriculture. The Agency's mission is carried
out in two different segments of American agriculture. The Federal Grain
Inspection Service provides the U.S. grain market with Federal quality
standards and a uniform system for applying them. The Packers and
Stockyards Programs (P&SP) enforces the Packers and Stockyards Act of
1921 (P&S Act), 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq., to promote fair and competitive
marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.
GIPSA also certifies State central filing systems for notification of
liens against farm products. GIPSA is responsible for establishing
official U.S. standards for grain and other assigned commodities, and
for administering a nationwide official inspection and weighing system.
Inspection The United States Grain Standards Act requires that, 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.
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.
Standardization The Administration is responsible for establishing,
maintaining, and revising official U.S. standards for corn, wheat, rye,
oats, barley, flaxseed, sorghum, soybeans, triticale, sunflower seed,
canola, and mixed grain. It is authorized to perform applied research to
develop methods to improve 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. Although standards no longer exist for hay, straw,
and hops, GIPSA maintains inspection procedures for and retains
authority to inspect these commodities.
Methods Development The Administration's methods development activities
include applied research or tests that produce new or improved
techniques for measuring grain quality. Examples include new knowledge
gained through study of how to establish the framework for real-time
grain inspection and develop reference methods to maintain consistency
and standardization in the grain inspection system, and the comparison
of different techniques for evaluation of end-use quality in wheat.
Packers and Stockyards Activities The P&S Act prohibits unfair,
deceptive, anti-competitive, and fraudulent practices by market
agencies, dealers, packers, swine contactors, and live poultry dealers
in those particular industries. The P&S Act protects producers and
poultry growers by requiring most regulated entities to obtain bonds and
meet strict payment requirements. To protect unpaid cash
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sellers of livestock, packers are subject to trust provisions which
require that livestock and related investments or proceeds from meat,
meat food products, or livestock products derived from them be held in
trust for unpaid sellers until payment is made in full. A similar
provision exists for live poultry dealers to protect growers. P&SP
analyzes all trust and bond claims as a courtesy to the regulated
industries. It is also responsible for the Truth-in-Lending Act and the
Fair Credit Reporting Act as each relates to persons and firms subject
to the P&S Act. P&SP carries out the Secretary's responsibilities under
section 1324 of the Food Security Act of 1985 pertaining to State-
established central filing systems to pre-notify buyers, commission
merchants, and selling agents of security interests against farm
products. GIPSA administers the section of the statute commonly referred
to as the ``Clear Title'' provision, and certifies qualifying State
systems.
For further information, contact the Grain Inspection, Packers, and
Stockyards Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250. Phone, 202-720-0219.
Food Safety
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.). FSIS is responsible for ensuring that the nation's
commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome,
and correctly labeled and packaged.
Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Federal meat and poultry
inspection is mandatory for cattle, calves, swine, goats, sheep, lambs,
horses (and other equines), chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas
used for human food. FSIS provides for the inspection of each animal or
bird at slaughter and processed products during various stages of
production.
FSIS inspects all raw meat and poultry sold in interstate and
foreign commerce, including imported products. It monitors meat and
poultry products after they leave federally inspected plants. FSIS tests
samples of egg products and meat and poultry products for microbial and
chemical contaminants to monitor trends for enforcement purposes.
FSIS provides inspection at Federal facilities for meat, poultry,
and egg products, as well as voluntary inspection for animals not
covered under mandatory inspection regulations such as buffalo, rabbit,
and deer. It monitors meat and poultry products in storage,
distribution, and retail channels; and takes necessary compliance
actions to protect the public, including detention of products,
voluntary product recalls, court-ordered seizures of products,
administrative withdrawal of inspection, and referral for criminal
prosecution. FSIS also monitors state inspection programs which inspect
meat and poultry products sold only within the state in which they were
produced.
FSIS maintains a toll-free meat and poultry hotline (phone, 888-674-
6854, TTY, 800-256-7072) to answer questions in English and Spanish
about the safe handling of meat, poultry, and egg products. The
hotline's hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Eastern Time, year-round. An extensive selection of food safety
messages, in English and Spanish, is also available at the same number
24 hours a day.
``Ask Karen'' is a Web-based virtual representative tool that
provides answers to consumer questions about food safety. ``Ask Karen''
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.askkaren.gov.
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For further information, contact the Director, Food Safety Education
Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705. Phone, 301-344-4755. Fax, 301-504-0203.
Internet, www.fsis.usda.gov. E-mail, MPHotline.fsis@usda.gov.
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
The mission of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services is to reduce
hunger and food insecurity, in partnership with cooperating
organizations, by providing access to food, a healthful diet, and
nutrition education to children and needy people in a manner that
supports American agriculture.
Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the USDA food
assistance programs. These programs, which serve one in six Americans,
represent our Nation's commitment to the principle that no one in this
country should fear hunger or experience want. They provide a Federal
safety net to people in need. The goals of the programs are to provide
needy persons with access to a more nutritious diet, to improve the
eating habits of the Nation's children, and to help America's farmers by
providing an outlet for distributing foods purchased under farmer
assistance authorities.
The Service works in partnership with the States in all its
programs. State and local agencies determine most administrative details
regarding distribution of food benefits and eligibility of participants,
and FNS provides commodities and funding for additional food and to
cover administrative costs. FNS administers the following food
assistance programs:
--The Food Stamp Program provides food benefits through State and
local welfare agencies to needy persons to increase their food
purchasing power. The benefits are used by program participants to buy
food in retail stores approved by the Food and Nutrition Service to
accept and redeem the benefits.
--The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) improves the health of low-income pregnant,
breastfeeding, and nonbreastfeeding postpartum women, and infants and
children up to 5 years of age by providing them with specific nutritious
food supplements, nutrition education, and health care referrals.
--The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides WIC
participants with increased access to fresh produce. WIC participants
receive coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from authorized
farmers.
--The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a package of
foods monthly to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding
women, their infants and children under age 6, and the elderly.
Nutrition education is also provided through this program.
--The National School Lunch Program supports nonprofit food services
in elementary and secondary schools and in residential child-care
institutions. More than half of the meals served through these
institutions are free or at reduced cost.
--The School Breakfast Program supplements the National School Lunch
Program by supporting schools in providing needy children with free or
low-cost breakfasts that meet established nutritional standards.
--The Special Milk Program for Children provides milk for children
in those schools, summer camps, and child-care institutions that have no
federally supported meal programs.
--The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides cash and
commodities for meals for preschool and school-aged children in child-
care facilities and for functionally impaired adults in facilities that
provide nonresidential care for such individuals.
--The Summer Food Service Program for Children helps various
organizations get nutritious meals to needy preschool and school-aged
children during the
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summer months and during school vacations.
--The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides State agencies with
commodities for distribution to food banks, food pantries, soup
kitchens, and other charitable institutions throughout the country, with
administrative funds to assist in distribution.
--The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Trust
Territories provides an extensive package of commodities monthly to low-
income households on or near Indian reservations in lieu of food stamps.
This program is administered at the local level by Indian tribal
organizations or State agencies.
--The Nutrition Program for the Elderly provides cash and
commodities to States for meals for senior citizens. The food is
delivered through senior citizen centers or meals-on-wheels programs.
--The Nutrition Assistance Programs for Puerto Rico and the Northern
Marianas are block grant programs that replace the Food Stamp Programs
in these two territories and provide cash and coupons to resident
participants.
--The Nutrition Education and Training Program grants funds to
States for the development and dissemination of nutrition information
and materials to children and for training of food service and teaching
personnel.
For further information, contact the Public Information Officer, Food
and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Phone, 703-305-2286. Internet, www.usda.gov/fns.htm.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The Center coordinates nutrition policy in USDA and provides overall
leadership in nutrition education for the American public. It also
coordinates with the Department of Health and Human Services in the
review, revision, and dissemination of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, the Federal Government's statement of nutrition policy formed
by a consensus of scientific and medical professionals.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Information,
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Suite 200, 1120 20th Street
NW., Washington, DC 20036-3406. Phone, 202-418-2312. Internet,
www.cnpp.usda.gov.
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers farm commodity, disaster, and
conservation programs for farmers and ranchers, and makes and guarantees
farm emergency, ownership, and operating loans through a network of
State and county offices.
Farm Commodity Programs FSA manages commodity programs such as the
direct and countercyclical program, commodity and livestock disaster
programs, marketing assistance loan programs, noninsured crop disaster
assistance programs, and the tobacco transition payment program. It
administers commodity loan programs for wheat, rice, corn, grain
sorghum, barley, oats, oilseeds, peanuts, upland and extra-long-staple
cotton, and sugar. FSA provides operating personnel for the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC), a Government-owned and -operated organization.
CCC provides short-term loans using the commodity as collateral. These
loans provide farmers with interim financing and facilitate orderly
marketing of farm commodities throughout the year.
Farm Loan Programs FSA makes and guarantees loans to family farmers and
ranchers to purchase farmland and finance agricultural production. These
programs help farmers who are temporarily unable to obtain private
commercial credit. These may be beginning farmers who have insufficient
net worth to qualify for commercial credit, who have suffered financial
setbacks from natural disasters, or who
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have limited resources with which to establish and maintain profitable
farming operations.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) NAP provides
catastrophic crop loss protection for crops not covered by Federal crop
insurance. Crops that are eligible include commercial crops grown for
food and fiber, floriculture, ornamental nursery products, Christmas
tree crops, turfgrass sod, seed crops, aquaculture (including ornamental
fish such as goldfish), and industrial crops. Losses resulting from
natural disasters not covered by the crop insurance policy may also be
eligible for NAP assistance. NAP does not include trees grown for wood,
paper, or pulp products.
Other Emergency Assistance There are FSA programs to assist farmers who
encounter natural disasters from drought, flood, freeze, tornadoes, and
other natural calamities. Eligible producers can be compensated for crop
losses, livestock feed losses, and tree damage, and for the cost of
rehabilitating eligible farmlands damaged by natural disaster. Low-
interest loans for eligible farmers can help cover production and
physical losses in counties declared disaster areas.
The largest component of USDA disaster assistance is the Crop
Disaster Program (CDP), which has provided more than $3 billion in
financial relief to farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other agricultural
producers who incurred losses because of recent adverse weather
conditions.
Conservation Programs FSA's conservation programs include enhancement
of wildlife habitat and water and air quality. The Conservation Reserve
Program is the Federal Government's single-largest environmental
improvement program on private lands. It safeguards millions of acres of
topsoil from erosion, improves air quality, increases wildlife habitat,
and protects ground and surface water by reducing water runoff and
sedimentation. In return for planting a protective cover of grass or
trees on vulnerable property, the owner receives a rental payment each
year of a multi-year contract. Cost-share payments are also available to
help establish permanent areas of grass, legumes, trees, windbreaks, or
plants that improve water quality and give shelter and food to wildlife.
Commodity Operations FSA's commodity operations facilitates the
storage, management, and disposition of commodities used to meet
humanitarian needs abroad. FSA's commodity operations also administers
the United States Warehouse Act (USWA) which authorizes the Secretary of
Agriculture to license warehouse operators who store agricultural
products. Warehouse operators that apply must meet the USDA standards
established within the USWA and its regulations. Under the milk price
support program, the Commodity Credit Corporation buys surplus butter,
cheese, and nonfat dry milk from processors at announced prices to
support the price of milk. These purchases help maintain market prices
at the legislated support level, and the surplus commodities are used
for hunger relief both domestically and internationally. FSA's commodity
operations also coordinates with other Government agencies to provide
surplus commodities for various programs and also purchases commodities
for the National School Lunch Program and other domestic feeding
programs.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Branch, Farm Service
Agency, Department of Agriculture, Stop 0506, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-5237. Internet,
www.fsa.usda.gov.
Commodity Credit Corporation
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) 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.
CCC 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.
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Agricultural commodities are supplied and exported to combat hunger and
malnutrition and to encourage economic development in developing
countries. In addition, under the Food for Progress Program, CCC
supplies commodities to provide assistance to developing democracies.
For further information, contact the Information Division, Foreign
Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture, Stop 1004, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-7115. Fax,
202-720-1727.
Risk Management Agency
The Risk Management Agency (RMA), via the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation (FCIC), oversees and administers the crop insurance program
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act.
Crop insurance is offered to qualifying producers through 16 private
sector crop insurance companies. Under the new Standard Reinsurance
Agreement (SRA), RMA provides reinsurance, pays premium subsidies,
reimburses insurers for administrative and operating costs and oversees
the financial integrity and operational performance of the delivery
system. RMA bears much of the noncommercial insurance risk under the
SRA, allowing insurers to retain commercial insurance risks or reinsure
those risks in the private market.
In 2006, the Federal crop insurance program is expected to provide
producers with more than $44 billion in protection on approximately 246
million acres through about 1.2 million policies. There are 22 insurance
plans available and 26 active pilot programs in various stages of
development.
RMA is also working closely with the private sector to find new and
innovative ways to provide expanded coverage. This includes risk
protection for specialty crops, livestock and forage, and rangeland and
pasture. Thus, RMA is able to reduce the need for ad hoc disaster bills
and available coverage caused by long-term production declines that
result from extended drought in many areas.
Additional information about RMA can be found on its Web site
(www.rma.usda.gov), including agency news, State profiles, publications,
announcements on current issues, summaries of insurance sales, pilot
programs, downloadable crop policies, and agency-sponsored events. The
site also features online tools, calculators, and applications.
For further information, contact the Office of the Administrator, Risk
Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, Stop 0801, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-690-2803.
Internet, www.rma.usda.gov.
Foreign Agricultural Service
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) works to improve foreign market
access for U.S. products, to build new markets, to improve the
competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and
to provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.
FAS has the primary responsibility for USDA's activities in the
areas of international marketing, trade agreements and negotiations, and
the collection and analysis of international statistics and market
information. It also administers the USDA's export credit guarantee and
food aid programs. FAS helps increase income and food availability in
developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led
economic growth.
FAS also enhances U.S. agricultural competitiveness through a global
network of agricultural economists, marketing experts, negotiators, and
other specialists. FAS agricultural counselors, attaches, trade
officers, and locally employed FAS staff stationed in over 90 countries
support U.S. agricultural interests and cover 140 countries.
In addition to agricultural affairs offices in U.S. embassies,
agricultural trade offices also have been established in a number of key
foreign markets and function as service centers for U.S. exporters and
foreign buyers seeking market information.
Reports prepared by our overseas offices cover changes in policies
and other developments that could affect U.S. agricultural exports. FAS
staff in U.S. embassies around the world assess
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U.S. export marketing opportunities and respond to the daily
informational needs of those who develop, initiate, monitor,and evaluate
U.S. food and agricultural policies and programs.
In addition to data collection, FAS also maintains a worldwide
agricultural reporting system based on information from U.S.
agricultural traders, remote sensing systems, and other sources.
Analysts in Washington, DC, prepare production forecasts, assess export
marketing opportunities, and track changes in policies affecting U.S.
agricultural exports and imports.
FAS programs help U.S. exporters develop and maintain markets for
hundreds of food and agricultural products, from bulk commodities to
brand name items. Formal market promotion activities are carried out
chiefly in cooperation with agricultural trade associations, State-
regional trade groups, small businesses, and cooperatives that plan,
manage, and contribute staff resources and funds to support these
efforts. FAS also provides guidance to help exporters locate buyers and
provides assistance through a variety of other methods. This includes
supporting U.S. participation in several major trade shows and a number
of single-industry exhibitions each year.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Division, Foreign
Agricultural Service, Stop 1004, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1004. Phone, 202-720-
7115. Fax, 202-720-1727. Internet, http://www.fas.usda.gov.
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
food 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) conducts research to develop and
transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority.
It provides information access and dissemination to ensure high-quality
safe food and other agricultural products; assess the nutritional needs
of Americans; sustain a competitive agricultural economy; enhance the
natural resource base and the environment; and provide economic
opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
Research activities are carried out at 103 domestic locations
(including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 5 overseas
locations. Much of this research is conducted in cooperation with
partners in State universities and experiment stations, other Federal
agencies, and private organizations. National Programs, 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.
ARS also includes the National Agricultural Library (NAL), which is the
primary resource in the United States for information about food,
agriculture, and natural resources, and serves as an electronic gateway
to a widening array of scientific literature, printed text, and
agricultural images. NAL serves USDA and a broad customer base including
policymakers, agricultural specialists, research scientists, and the
general public. NAL works with other agricultural libraries and
institutions to advance open and democratic access to information about
agriculture and the Nation's agricultural knowledge.
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For further information, contact the Agricultural Research Service,
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20250. Phone, 202-720-3656. Fax, 202-720-5427 Internet,
www.ars.usda.gov.
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) links the research and education resources and activities of
USDA and works with academic and land-grant institutions throughout the
Nation. In cooperation with its partners and customers, CSREES advances
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.
CSREES's 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, consumers, families, and
community leaders to improve social conditions in the United States and
around the world. 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 provides research, extension, and education leadership
through programs in plant and animal systems; natural resources and
environment; economic and community systems; families, 4-H, and
nutrition; competitive research and integrated research, education, and
extension programs and awards management; science and education
resources development; and information systems and technology
management.
CSREES's partnership with the land-grant universities is critical to
the effective shared planning, delivery, and accountability for
research, higher education, and extension programs.
For further information, contact the Communications Staff, Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2207.
Phone, 202-720-4651. Fax, 202-690-0289. E-mail, CSREES@csrees.usda.gov.
Internet, www.csrees.usda.gov.
Economic Research Service
The mission of the Economic Research Service (ERS) is to inform and
enhance public and private decisionmaking on economic and policy issues
related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development.
Activities to support this mission and the following goals involve
research and development of economic and statistical indicators on a
broad range of topics including, but not limited to, global agricultural
market conditions, trade restrictions, agribusiness concentration, farm
and retail food prices, foodborne illnesses, food labeling, nutrition,
food assistance programs, worker safety, agrichemical usage, livestock
waste management, conservation, sustainability, genetic diversity,
technology transfer, rural infrastructure, and rural employment.
Research results and economic indicators on such important agricultural,
food, natural resource, and rural issues are fully disseminated to
public and private decisionmakers through published and electronic
reports and articles; special staff analyses, briefings, presentations,
and papers; databases; and individual contacts. Through such activities,
ERS provides public and private decisionmakers with economic and related
social science information and analysis in support of the Department's
goals of enhancing economic opportunities for agricultural producers;
supporting economic opportunities and quality of life in rural America;
enhancing the protection and safety of U.S. agriculture and food;
improving U.S. nutrition and health; and enhancing
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the natural resource base and environment. More information on ERS's
program is contained on the ERS Web site (www.ers.usda.gov).
For further information, contact the Information Services Division,
Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20036-5831. Phone, 202-694-5100. Fax, 202-694-5641.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) prepares estimates
and reports on production, supply, price, chemical use, 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.
NASS is responsible for conducting the Census of Agriculture. The
Census of Agriculture is taken every 5 years and provides comprehensive
data on the agricultural economy down to the county level. Periodic
reports are also issued on aquacultures, irrigation, and horticultural
specialties.
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.
For further information, contact the Executive Assistant to the
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department of
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-2000. Phone, 202-720-2707. Fax, 202-
720-9013.
Natural Resources and Environment
This mission area is responsible for fostering sound stewardship of 75
percent of the Nation's total land area. Ecosystems are the underpinning
for the Department's operating philosophy in this area in order to
maximize stewardship of our natural resources. This 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 mission of the Forest Service is
to achieve quality land management under the sustainable, multiple-use
management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. It's objectives
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;
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--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,
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.
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 forests
and rangelands. The Service's forest research 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.
Manpower 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.
For further information, contact the Office of Communications, Forest
Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC
20090-6090. Phone, 202-205-8333.
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Field Offices--Forest Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region/Station/Area Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Forest System Regions--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
Research Stations--Director
Forest Products Laboratory 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53705
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 800 Buchanan St., P.O. Box 245, Albany, CA
94710
Rocky Mountain 240 W. Prospect Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526
Southern 200 Weaver Blvd., P.O. Box 2860, Asheville,
NC 28802
State and Private Forestry Areas--Director
Northeastern Suite 200, 100 Matson Ford Rd., P.O. Box
6775, Radnor, PA 19087-4585
International Institute of UPR Experimental Station Grounds, Botanical
Tropical Forestry Garden, Call Box 25000, Rio Piedras, PR
00928
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners develop and carry out
voluntary efforts to conserve and protect our natural resources.
Conservation Technical Assistance This is the foundation program of
NRCS. Under this program, NRCS 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.
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.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program This program assists producers
with environmental and natural resource conservation improvements on
their agricultural lands. One-half of the available funds are for
conservation activities related to livestock production. Technical
assistance, cost-share payments, incentive payments, and education focus
on priority areas and natural resource concerns identified in
cooperation with State technical committees, including such areas as
nutrient management, pest management, and grazing land management.
Farmland Protection Program This program protects soil by encouraging
landowners to limit conversion of their farmland to nonagricultural
uses. States, Indian tribes, or local governments administer all aspects
of acquiring lands that are in the program, except when it is more
effective and efficient for the Federal Government to do so.
Forestry Incentives Program This program helps to increase the Nation's
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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.
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 Federal, State, and local
governments. The surveys are conducted cooperatively with other Federal,
State, and local agencies and land grant universities. The Service is
the national and world leader in soil classification and soil mapping,
and is now expanding its work in soil quality.
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.
Resource Conservation and Development Program This 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 helps protect people and the
environment from the adverse effects of past coal-mining practices and
promotes the development of 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.
Small Watersheds Program The program helps local sponsoring groups 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. The Service helps local community
groups, government entities, and private landowners working together
using an integrated, comprehensive watershed approach to natural
resource planning.
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 the Western States and Alaska.
Watershed Surveys and Planning This program assists Federal, State, and
local agencies and tribal governments in protecting watersheds from
damage caused by erosion, floodwater, and sediment and conserves and
develops water and land resources. Resource concerns addressed by the
program include water quality, water conservation, wetland and water
storage capacity, agricultural drought problems, rural development,
municipal and industrial water needs, upstream flood damages, and water
needs for fish,
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wildlife, and forest-based industries. Types of surveys and plans
include watershed plans, river basin surveys and studies, flood hazard
analysis, and flood plain management assistance. The focus of these
plans is to identify solutions that use land treatment and nonstructural
measures to solve resource problems.
Wetlands Reserve Program Under this program, USDA purchases easements
from agricultural land owners who voluntarily agree to restore and
protect wetlands. Service employees help these owners develop plans to
retire critical wetland habitat from crop production. The primary
objectives are to preserve and restore wetlands, improve wildlife
habitat, and protect migratory waterfowl.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program This program provides financial
incentives to develop habitats for fish and wildlife on private lands.
Participants agree to implement a wildlife habitat development plan, and
USDA agrees to provide cost-share assistance for the initial
implementation of wildlife habitat development practices. USDA and
program participants enter into a cost-share agreement for wildlife
habitat development, which generally lasts a minimum of 10 years from
the date that the contract is signed.
For further information, contact the Management Services Division,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O.
Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-690-4811.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Fourteenth Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250
Phone, 888-744-4723
Executive Director Jerry Ice
Deputy Executive Director Lynn Edwards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Graduate School was established by act of May 15, 1862 (7 U.S.C.
2201). It is a continuing education school offering career-related
training to adults. Courses are planned with the assistance of
Government professionals and specialists. The Graduate School's
objective is to improve Government services by providing needed
continuing education and training opportunities for Government employees
and agencies.
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.
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.
For further information, contact the Communications Office, Graduate
School, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 270, 600 Maryland Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone, 888-744-4723.
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,
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school lunch, donated foods, and other food programs.
Contracts and Small Business Activities To obtain information about
contracting or subcontracting opportunities, attending small business
outreach activities, or how to do business with USDA, contact the Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. Phone, 202-720-7117.
Internet, www.usda.gov/da/smallbus.html.
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
information is available at www.usajobs.opm.gov.
Whistleblower Hotline Persons wishing to register complaints of alleged
improprieties concerning the Department should contact one of the
regional offices or the Inspector General's whistleblower hotline.
Phone, 800-424-9121 (toll free, outside Washington, DC); 202-690-1622
(within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area); or 202-690-1202 (TDD).
Fax, 202-690-2474.
Reading Rooms Located at each USDA agency at addresses indicated in the
preceding 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 Communications, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-2798.
For further information concerning the Department of Agriculture,
contact the Office of Communications, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-720-4623. Internet, www.usda.gov.