Information for small farmers and ranchers

34 Pages·2003·2.7 MB·English

by  United States. Small Farms Coordination

Historic, Archive Document
Do assume
not content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

/
USDA
United States Information fo
Department of
Agriculture
Small Farmers
Small Farms
Coordination
and Ranchers
Revised
May 2003
Program
Aid 1740
Small Farms@USDA
www.usda.gov/oce/smallfarm/
Contents
Introduction 1
Agricultural Marketing Service 2
Agricultural Research Service 3
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 5
Office ofCivil Rights 6
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service .... 8
Economic Research Service 10
Farm ServiceAgency 11
Food andNutrition Service 12
Food Safety and Inspection Service 13
ForeignAgricultural Service 15
Forest Service 16
Grain Inspection, Packers and StockyardsAdministration 18
NationalAgricultural Statistics Service 199
. .
Natural Resources Conservation Service 2
Office ofOutreach 22
RiskManagementAgency 23
Rural Development 24
Rural Business-Cooperative Service 26
Rural Housing Service 27
Rural Utilities Service 28
Introduction
Enhancing the viability and economic livelihood
ofAmerica's small farmers and ranchers is one
ofUSDA's top priorities. The Department's small
USDA
farms coordinators represent all agencies.
This brochure is dedicated to the 2-million-plus
small farmers/ranchers across the country. The
brochure has vital information and contacts that
will assist small farmers/ranchers in obtaining
USDA's programs and services. These programs
and services are critical to the quality oflife of
small farmers and ranchers in sustaining their
operation. Hopefully, information in this brochure
will help small farmers andranchers respond to the
challenges of21st century agriculture.
Alfonzo Drain
Director, USDA SmallFarms
Coordination
Agricultural
Marketing Service
TheAgricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is working to identify
and promote the development ofmarketing opportunities for small
farms by conducting and supporting research andproviding
information on farmer direct marketing activities. As part ofthis
effort,AMS maintains a direct marketing Internet web page
(www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing.htm) and updates the farmers
market directory every 2 years. Through the Federal-State Marketing
AMS
Improvement Program (FSMIP), provides matching funds to
State departments ofagriculture or other State agencies for awide
range ofresearch and service projects aimed at improving the
marketing and distribution ofagricultural products.
For More Information:
AMS
Call Transportation and Marketing Programs at 202-690-1300
or visit theAMS web page at www.ams.usda.gov/cnd/.
Agricultural
Research Service
TheAgricultural Research
Service (ARS), USDA's principal
in-house research agency, is
responsible for solving agricul-
tural problems ofnational impor-
ARS
tance. research addresses a
wide range ofproblems related to
—
food and agriculture problems
often requiring long-term com-
mitment ofresources andprob-
lems unlikely to have solutions
with the quick commercial payoff
that would convince private industry to do the research. This mission
includes research to ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricul-
tural commodityproduction, enhance the natural resource base and
the environment while sustaining a competitive agricultural econ-
omy, assess the nutritional needs ofAmericans, andprovide eco-
nomic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a
whole. In addition to serving this broad range ofneeds through col-
laborative research with universities and otherpartners,ARS pro-
vides research to support Federal action and regulatory agencies.
MostARS research is size-neutral and relevant to small farmers
andranchers as it is to large corporate producers. ARS also has proj-
ects at several locations devoted specifically to solving problems
facedby small farms. Among these:
• Research at Booneville,AR; Lane, OK; and Beaver, WV,
concentrates on small farms and improving economic efficiency
and environmental sustainability. The current research focus is
on livestock and grazing lands management, agroforestry, and
alternative crops.
• Organic and sustainable farming systems research at Davis and
Salinas, CA; Beltsville, MD; Poplarville, MS; Weslaco, TX; and
Madison, WI, includes integratedpest management, development of
new plantvarieties, and on-farmresearch on a range ofvegetable,
fruit, vineyard, and grain crops.
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•Alternative farming systems research include crops, livestock,
and conservation components within a sustainable agroecosystem
framework atAmes, IA; Morris, MN; Lincoln, NE; and Mandan, ND.
• TheAlternative Farming Systems Information Center, National
Agricultural Library, specializes in information related to alternative
cropping systems including sustainable, organic, low-input, biody-
namic, and regenerative agriculture. See www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/.
For More Information:
Forthe full range ofARS research locations, programs, projects, and
points ofcontact, see www.ars.usda.gov
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Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service
TheAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) makes a
significant contribution to the volume and value ofthe Nation's food
supply by protecting the health ofU.S. agriculture. The agency's
programs integrate national animal andplant monitoring, disease
surveillance, epidemiology, emergency response, and information
delivery to ensure the marketability ofU.S. agricultural products,
and managing problems caused by wildlife. APHIS is proactive and
creative in its efforts to help small farmers. By focusing on product
andprogram delivery,APHIS strives to ensure that its program activ-
ities support USDA's goal ofenhancing the economic livelihood of
small farms.
For More Information:
Call the Small Farm Coordinator at 301-734-7710 orvisit the
web site: www.aphis.usda.gov
Office of
Civil Rights
Working tofacilitatefairandequitable treatmentofUSDA customers
andemployees, andensure the—delivery andenforcementofcivil
rightsprograms andactivities As part ofthis effort, the Office of
Civil Rights (CR):
• Develops civil rights programs and equal employment
opportunitypolicies;
• Provides coordination, leadership, oversight, guidance, and
USDA
technical assistance within and its programs; and
• Enforces compliance with civil rights laws and regulations.
USDA
• Ensures that policies andpractices have no disparate
impact on small, limited-resource, and minority farmers;
The Secretary's civil rights policy statement sets forth her firm
commitment to ensuring USDAs compliance with civil rights and
equal employment opportunity for everyone regardless ofrace, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation,
marital status, political beliefs, parental status, orprotected genetic
information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
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