FRAUD ALERT! Producers should be aware of fraudulent letter circulating

November 2013

USDA has been made aware that there is a fraudulent letter circulating to producers and/or contractors. The signature line in these letters reads “Frank Rutenberg” and the sender claims to be a USDA employee seeking information about the recipient.  These letters are a fraud, the sender is fictitious and recipients should NOT respond to these letters. Should you receive one of these fraudulent letters, please notify your local Farm Service Agency or a USDA Service Center representative. Please share this information with your fellow farmers and ranchers. Contact USDA/FSA

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack todayannounced a new microloan program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) designed to help small and family operations, beginning and sociallydisadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program is aimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity so that farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a less burdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans.

USDA Readies Plan in Event of Government Shutdown

7. USDA unveils details of shutdown plan

By Jerry Hagstrom

The Hagstrom Report

GovExec.com

April 7, 2011 

If the government shuts down at midnight Friday, meat, poultry, egg, grain and other commodity inspections would continue, but most other agriculture-related USDA activities would be shut down, an Agriculture Department official has told The Hagstrom Report.

Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Reestablishment

Federal Register Volume 75, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)

Notices
Page 81965
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [http://www.gpo.gov/]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Reestablishment
AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Notice to reestablish committee.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture has reestablished the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the Advisory Committee is necessary and in the public interest.