USDA Mission Area/
Agency/Contact Person

USDA Actions. REE appointed a Small Farm Coordinator and is conducting a stocktaking of REE agency program activities oriented toward small farms. On the basis of the stocktaking and input from the REE National Research, Education, and Extension Advisory Board, the mission area will develop an integrated and interdisciplinary Small Farm Research Initiative.  

The Research and Extension Priorities Subcommittee, formed at the 1996 1^st National Small Farm Conference, reported in June 1999. Research priorities was a topic for the October 1999 Second National Small Farm Conference. 

Status: Partially implemented (Code 2) Ongoing. The plan for REE mission area was drafted in July 1999 and includes initiatives for CSREES, Economic Research Service (ERS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) for FY 1999, FY 2000, and FY 2001. The plan was updated in early February, 2001.

On-farm research priorities and techniques was a topic and was part of the proceedings of the October 1999 2nd National Small Farm Conference.

USDA Actions: ERS designed a research project to identify farm and farmer characteristics that are associated with the likelihood of above average returns, defined by returns to equity and to the operator's labor and management. 

Two papers have been generated from this research this year. One paper focused on factors contributing to the profitability of limited resource and other small farms while a second looked at factors contributing to earnings success of cash grain farms. 

Results show the importance of controlling costs and the financial structure of the business along with other factors such as insurance, and farm diversification. 

In addition to the papers, posters were developed for presentation at workshops and conferences. One poster focused on behavioral and economic characteristics of limited resource and other small farms. 

A second presented the ERS farm typology for a diverse agricultural sector. In addition, to a work shop display, ERS also printed the farm typology poster as a pamphlet for distribution to agency customers seeking information about the diverse characteristics of farm businesses, especially small farms. 

Copies of the pamphlet have been distributed for use in classroom instruction and to survey statisticians for use in providing respondents to USDA surveys a broader view of data use to profile farm business characteristics. 

ERS developed and co-sponsored a workshop on, "What Makes Small Farms Successful?" with the Farm Foundation and The Center for Rural Affairs. The workshop was held July 12-13, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois and included persons interested in production, marketing, and financial activities of successful small farm operations. 

The workshop agenda included material on production systems, management strategies, marketing options, and access to resources such as financing by successful small farmers. A panel of successful small farm operators responded to material presented by researchers. 

Work on cooperative agreements with the University of Illinois to identify factors associated with the distribution of economic risk by size of farm and with Purdue University to develop insight into business linkages continues. 

Work at Illinois to develop questions designed to elicit producers attitudes toward risk was completed and incorporated into the annual Agricultural Resource Management Study (ARMS). 

The survey was completed for the 1998 calendar year and data made available for analysis in July 1999. New cooperative agreements were written with Iowa State University, University of California, Davis, Tennessee State University, and Pennsylvania State University. 

The first three agreements are designed to address deficiencies in our understanding of the production systems, marketing channels, and financing approaches used by smaller-scale agriculture and to identify attributes that contribute to the success of both small and moderate size farm operations. 

The Tennessee State University will also give special attention to farmers' sources of information and adoption of Best Management Practices. The fourth agreement will analyze the nature and extent of women's economic contributions to farm operations in the U.S. today. 

To better disseminate small farm data and research, ERS developed a new Farm Structure Briefing Room that has been incorporated into the ERS Home Page. 

The briefing room provides an overview of the ERS farm structure research program; provides answers to commonly asked questions concerning farm structure (Questions such as How many minority farmers are there and what are their characteristics, and Small Farmers: Who are they?) are discussed. 

The briefing room also provides farm operator household income data, and a link to publications related to farm structure and small farms. 

ERS is involved in a multi-institutional research project on the market for organic foods. Project participants include researchers from ERS, the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture, and the Universities of Arizona, Georgia, and Massachusetts. 

Project participants hope to develop an enhanced understanding of the size and structure of the U.S. organic foods market by focusing on five topic areas: U.S. acreage and production, domestic marketing chain and structure, certification and its impacts, consumer demand, and global market conditions. 

For example, research on U.S. production is focused on analyzing data from the Organic Farming Research Foundation’s 1997 survey of organic farmers and other sources. One of the outputs will be a county-level national map of the location of certified organic farms in 1997 (for the farms for which the project was able to obtain mailing addresses). 

This information, coupled with other research in ERS/RED on certified organic acreage by state and commodity group, will give the most complete picture to date on the location of organic farms and the commodities they produce. 

Since organic markets have multiple opportunities for participants with different-sized operations, research results may assist small-scale organic producers in their marketing plans and provide information to other small-scale producers who are looking for additional marketing outlets. Products and publications from this research effort are expected to be released over 2000, with a synthesis document of research results released by December 2000. 

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). ERS will continue this research effort to analyze the systems, strategies, and technologies used by successful small farms, to learn how USDA can better assist small farm operators in achieving success.  

In addition, ERS, at the request of the House Committee on Appropriations, conducted a study of the economic impact of the termination of the Wool Act in 1993 on sheep and goat producer revenue and the economies of rural communities. 

The report was sent to Congress in April 1999.

USDA Actions. REE appointed a Small Farm Coordinator and is conducting a stocktaking of REE agency program activities oriented toward small farms. On the basis of the stocktaking and input from the REE National Research, Education, and Extension Advisory Board, the mission area will develop an integrated and interdisciplinary Small Farm Research Initiative.  

The Research and Extension Priorities Subcommittee, formed at the 1996 1^st National Small Farm Conference, will report in June 1999. Research priorities were a topic for the October 1999 2^nd National Small Farm Conference.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). Ongoing. The plan for REE mission area was drafted in July 1999 and includes initiatives for ARS, CSREES, ERS, and NASS for FY 1999, FY 2000, and FY 2001. The plan was updated in early February, 2001.

On-farm research priorities and techniques was a topic and was part of the proceedings of the October 1999 2nd National Small Farm Conference. We hope to include this topic in the upcoming 3^rd National Small Farm Conference to be held in September 17-20, 2002. (Same as the action plan developed for Recommendation 1.01). 

USDA Action. ARS initiated a series of activities to assure the integration of small farm research needs into our programs. Working with representation from the USDA Commission on Small Farms, criteria were developed to evaluate current research applicability to strengthening small farms. Using these criteria, the assessment process of the approximately 1200 projects in 23 National Programs is underway and will establish a baseline for ARS small farm-related research.  

ARS will then be in a position to determine gaps and initiate new research. In addition, ARS is holding workshops to determine future research priorities.  

To assure input from the customers and stakeholders that represent small farm interests, the National Program Staff is inviting representatives from these groups to participate in the workshops that are held for each National Program. Once workshops have been held for the 23 National Programs, action plans will be developed. 

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). Ongoing. Research evaluation applicable to strengthening small farms were completed on January 31, 2000. All workshops were held on December 29, 2000. Action plans will be developed by July 31, 2001

USDA Action. CSREES developed procedures to implement provisions of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) requiring increased stakeholder participation in priority setting and in the formulation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for competitive grants.  

Actions are ongoing to infuse specific language for small farms in competitive grant programs, and to place scientists/researchers with small farm background and interest on the panels to review proposals. SARE program is vested in this; the NRI is accommodating the need; other programs will follow.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). In FY 1999, the NRI awarded 8 specific grants in Agricultural Systems program. In FY 2000, CSREES awarded 19 grants for small farms under the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems' Farm Efficiency and Profitability program.

Status: Partially implemented (code 2) In FY 2001, CSREES sent a solicitation for proposals to the Federal Register if approved by the Office of the General Counsel.

1.07 Research & Extension 
(ATTRA clearinghouse of available equipment and systems)

USDA Action. ATTRA's enhanced emphasis on small farmers needs additional funding because program staff and resources are at their limits of service. USDA-RBS requested $2 million in its FY 2000 budget, an increase of $700,000. ATTRA staff will be in regular contact with USDA agencies to provide information on priority research needs of small farmers. 

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). FY 2000 funding for ATTRA was increased to $1.5 million. 

USDA Action. Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) modified its instructions for the annual strategic plan development and revision process to specifically require that groups representing small, minority, and women farm operators be included among consultant/partnership groups in the strategic planning process as required under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).  

This policy was reflected in the Administrator's FY 1999 Priority Performance Goals and an unnumbered letter to State Directors. State Directors will conduct outreach to small farm groups.  

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). 
FY 2000 national program priority performance goals include working with: historically or economically disadvantaged farmers and small farmers, especially minorities, women and beginning farmers. 

For the second year, for FY 2000 a set aside of $170,000,000 of B&I Guaranteed Loan Program National Office Reserve is made available for loan guarantees to cooperatives. 

1.09 Market Development 
(Develop Process for RD State Directors to Receive Input from Stakeholders)

USDA Action. State Rural Development Directors were directed to focus on farmer-owned, value-added entities for Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG), and Business & Industry (B&I) funding.  

Modified instructions for the annual strategic plan development and revision process to specifically require that groups representing small, minority, and women farm operators are included among consultant/partnership groups in the strategic planning process as required under GPRA. State Directors will conduct outreach to small farm groups. 

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). For FY 1999, RBS placed emphasis on farmer-owned, value added ventures. As a result, State Office Business Programs reported that RBS financial assistance (either directly or indirectly) benefitted small, women, minority, and beginning farmers. See below: 

• $15,930,427 for B&I Guaranteed; 
• $74,000 for B&I Direct; and, 
• $428,202 for RBEG. 

The same policies have been established as Administrative Priority Goals for FY 2000. 

1.10 Market Development 
(Exclusive targeting of Rural Business funds to assist farmer-owned cooperatives for small farm operators)

These include funds targeted for the Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG), B&I Loans, and the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). 

USDA Action. For programs in which Rural Development State Directors have discretionary priority points, the State Directors have been encouraged to use discretionary points to encourage use of RBS program funds for value-added, cooperative development, and other business activities that support the marketing, supply, and service needs of small, minority, women and beginning farmers.  

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). In fiscal year 1999, RBS  supported projects include: $44,416,239 for B&I;  $440,840 for RBEG; and $800,000 for IRP. 

USDA Action. Reoriented the USDA Small Farm Digest newsletter to include a greater focus on marketing---e.g., internet and "U-Pick" markets.  

In the winter of 2000, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) will publish a state-by-state Directory of Small Farm Marketing Contacts. The 1999 2^nd National Small Farm Conference held in October in St. Louis, MO, also placed a greater focus on marketing.  

USDA Action. Reoriented the USDA Small Farm Digest newsletter to include a greater focus on marketing---e.g., internet and "U-Pick" markets. 

Status:  Partially implemented (code 2).

The policy should include repayment periods for direct acquisition loans reflect the expected useful life of on-farm improvements, equipment, or chattel purchased with loan proceeds.  

USDA Action. FSA re-enforced the long standing policy that the repayment periods on loans reflect the useful life of the livestock, improvements, and equipment purchased with loan proceeds in a teleconference with States on April 7, 1998 and at the August 1998 State Directors' meeting. Agency will continue to re-enforce. 

Status: Fully implemented (code 1).

USDA Action. Since August 5, 1998, County Committees have no role in direct or guaranteed loan making determinations. 

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). 

USDA Action. Resolve accounting issues with OMB. Determine if there are alternatives to implementing the law and developing a process for line-of-credit loans as authorized in Section 614 of the 1996 FAIR Act. Due to provisions of the Credit Reform Act and OMB policy guidance, a direct line of credit will not be implemented. However, FSA has implemented a low-documentation direct loan program in place of a line of credit.

Status: Fully implemented (code 1).

USDA Action. Rule published in February 1999.  

Status: Fully implemented (code 1).  

USDA Action. Submitted legislation to Congress that would repeal provisions in law that prohibit farmers who have had "debt forgiveness" from ever receiving any further USDA loans or credit assistance.  

Status: Unable to be implemented (code 3). USDA submitted proposed legislation to Congress as recommended but no action was taken. 

USDA Action. Drafted and supported legislative proposal that would give USDA the authority it needs to carry out this recommendation. The legislation was included in the Senate version of the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, but was not passed by Congress.  

Status: Unable to be implemented (code 3). Will continue to support passage of legislation.

USDA Action. Provided a decision memorandum to the Secretary discussing the waivers and options to pursue.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). Secretary has considered on an annual basis, exempting only certain disaster and emergency programs. Appropriations bill has exempted certain payments from being offset.

USDA Action. Instituted new procedures with DOJ: civil rights review prior to forwarding cases to DOJ and hold quarterly meetings with DOJ.  

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). Will continue to monitor.

USDA Action. Most loans are now approved or disapproved within 30 days. Agency regulations require a checklist of what is needed for a complete application and require that this list be provided to the applicant.  

Appropriated funds are expeditiously allocated and a minimum is held in the National Office reserve. A shorter application process for guaranteed loans under $50,000 has been developed.  Regulations were published in January 2001 for direct operating loans which will reduce paperwork and processing times.

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). 

USDA Action. The recommendation asked for five changes to the appraisal criteria process. FSA has implemented three of them and is implementing one of them (changing regulations to require that a copy of appraisals be issued within 5 days of request); and under the current requirements for appraisals will not be able to appraise land based on agricultural use.  

Status:  Partially implemented (code 2). Cannot base appraisals on agriculture value as restricted by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisals (USPAP).

USDA Action. FSA has authorized extended terms on shared appreciation agreements by converting them to nonprogram loans. FSA also now allows expiring shared appreciation agreements a self certified 1 year extension with additional extensions possible for another 2 years. 

Regulatory changes proposed that would: 

1. Reduce shared appreciation agreements from 10 to 5 years. 

2. Permit capital improvements to be deducted from shared appreciation agreements. 

Status: Fully implemented (code 1). A Final Rule was published on August 18, 2000.

USDA Action. Issued a progress report called "Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Agriculture: One Year of Change." The CRAT report contained 92 recommendations and 88 have been implemented or steps have been taken to implement them.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). FSA is actively implementing suggestions and changes as stated in the Administrator's performance goals. 

CR & SBUS has retooled it's strategic plan to implement recommendations made by the CRAT report. CR & SBUS conducted studies on Farm Programs and have developed training syllabuses to inform managers on perceptual discriminatory practices

FSA has made the training a requirement for all employees in field, to include County Committeemen.

                   Or,

Contact: Dr. David J. Adams (Civil Rights)
Tel: 202-401-7166
Fax: 202 401-7100
Rev. date: 01/12/00 
Status Code: 2-Partially implemented.

USDA Action. The Federal Register Notices on the privacy act and the collection of information were published, and the comment periods closed. The Privacy Act Notice was in Federal Register, Vol. 64, No. 152 on Monday, August 9, 1999. 

The "Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information Collection" was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 64, No. 204, Friday, October 22, 1999. One comment was received and addressed. 

Status:  Partially implemented (code 2). The Federal Register "Notice to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information Collection" for a Voluntary Minority Registry has been cleared by OMB. The Office of Outreach (OR) is working with the Department's Office of General Council (OGC) staff to implement. 

USDA should also provide more for those 1994 Tribal Colleges with demonstrated programs of support to community-based organizations that have a history of serving minority farmers. 

USDA Action. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service maintains a portfolio of funding programs directed to the land grant system. The Small Farm Initiative requested in the FY 1999 and FY 2000 President's Budgets directly impacts this recommendation. 

Status: Unable to be implemented (code 3). The Small Farm Initiative remains unfunded. Other programs are ongoing. 

USDA Action. Supported HR 2185 (Rep. Clayton's bill) that provided for the expansion of county committee membership to under represented groups.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). FSA's outreach program has been retooled to act promptly on promoting diversity in FSA programs. FSA has a highly interactive Committee election process through local media outlets, local journals and civic organizations. FSA managers are actively involved in outreach efforts to attract minorities and women. 

                      Or,

Contact: Dr. David J. Adams (Civil Rights)
Tel: 202-401-7166
Fax: 202 401-7100
Rev. date: 01/12/00 
Status Code: 2-Partially implemented.

USDA Action. Continue settlement of outstanding cases. As of May 1998, USDA had settled or closed 328 of the 1,088 program discrimination complaints in the backlog. Proceed with claims settlement.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). FSA, jointly with the Department's Office of Civil Rights Office is making efforts to investigate, adjudicate and settle outstanding complaints of discrimination. 

CR & SBUS is currently operating under a memorandum of understanding with the Department for FSA Fact-Finders to investigate over 600 backlog complaints. 

FSA also has plans to conduct inquiries on offices found to have a large volume of activity on the consent decree.

                 Or,

Contact: Dr. David J. Adams (Civil Rights)
Tel: 202-401-7166
Fax: 202 401-7100
Rev. date: 01/12/00 
Status Code: 2-Partially implemented (code 2).

Additionally, a joint-team of field staff from these areas and USDA administrators should assess the program barriers to small farm operators from U.S. territories and possessions and make necessary changes to meet their needs.  

USDA Action. The Office of Outreach (OR) has completed a review of its mission, functions, goals and organization. Resource needs have been identified and a reorganization is being implemented. The team effort on this issue is still in the planning stage, and is dependent upon completion of Outreach staffing plans.

The Farmworker Initiative: In fiscal year 1999, OR employed the first USDA Farmworker coordinator.  As a result, OR initiated a number of collaborative efforts to address farmworker, especially migrant farmworker issues.  In fiscal year 2000, these efforts included:

a) working with Rural Development to identify grantee to receive the $ 5 million appropriated to assist farmworkers who have been affected by natural disasters; 

b) in fiscal year 2001 budget requests CSREES received $500,000 to assist the children of farmworkers (citizens and non-citizens) through their farm safety programs; and AMS provided $50,000 to create pesticide education for farmworkers;

c) CSREES was assisted with receiving 
$200,000 from the Department of Labor (DOL) to create a pilot program that would match employer and employee through the web;

d) organized and hosted 2 meetings at USDA of the Interagency migrant Counsel, it had been    7 years prior since USDA has hosted a meeting.  Arrangements were made for Deputy Secretary Rominger to welcome the group for the first meeting.  At our second meeting, Assistant Secretary Jill Long Thompson did the welcome.

Status. Partially implemented (code 2).

Mission Area: N/A 
Office: OR (Office of Outreach) 
Contact: Carolyn Parker 
Tel:  202-720-5475  
Fax: 
Email:  
Rev. Date: 01/18/2001 
Status Code: 2-Partially implemented.

USDA Action. The Administration supported legislation that protected tobacco quota holders, producers, and communities from the impacts of reduced tobacco product consumption and leaf production.  

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). As small farm programs and pilot projects are established, tobacco states will be carefully considered. 

USDA Action. The Administration supported legislation that protected tobacco quota holders, producers, and communities from the impacts of reduced tobacco product consumption and leaf production. As small farm programs and pilot projects are established, tobacco states will be carefully considered. 

Status: Unable to be implemented (code 3). Legislation was pending in Congress in Summer 1998 (the so-called National Tobacco Settlement). Bill died in Congress and there is no similar bill before Congress. 

USDA Action. On June 23, 1998, the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) signed a decision memorandum and chose not to enter into a contract with a private firm to audit the FSA direct loan records. It was determined that both the Office of the Inspector General and the General Accounting Office perform this function on an ongoing basis. 

Status: Not implemented (code 4). 

 
• National Resources Conservation Service programs; 
• Rural Development's Intermediary Relending Program; 
• Rural Business Enterprise Grand Program; 
• B&I Guaranteed Loan Program; 
• Risk Management Agency's Revenue Assurance Program; 
• Rural Development's RBS programs; 
• Forest Stewardship Program; 
• Forestry Incentive Program; and 
• Stewardship incentive Program. 

USDA Action. The Office of Outreach (OR) has completed a review of its mission, functions, goals and organization. Resource needs have been identified and a reorganization has been implemented. The regulatory review effort is still in the planning stage, and is dependent upon completion of Outreach staffing plans, or participated in:

1) the Department of Labor (DOL) "JETCON" in a panel discussion that had it’s focus on rural workforce;

 2) the National Assessment of the Worker Protection Program by EPA, provided input to the success of the program as well as to its shortcomings;

3) USDA Small Farms meeting in California (coordinated) and evening session on Farmworkers focus was on program outreach needs by USDA;

4) at the USDA/DOL conference in Colorado (coordinated) the session on Latino outreach emphasis in rural areas to both farmworkers and small farmers;

5) at the National FAS conference in Oklahoma a breakout session, on farmworkers and the need to assess their economic losses during a natural disaster;

6) the routine meetings of the Federal Interagency Committee on farmworkers.      

Status: Partially implemented (code 2). All Business Program regulations are being reviewed to determine if there is any bias against small farmers.

Mission Area: N/A 
Office: OR (Office of Outreach) 
Contact: Carolyn Parker 
Tel:  202-720-5475  
Fax: 
Email:  
Rev. Date: 01/18/2001 
Status Code: 2-Particially implemented.