We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. By October 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:

• Provides information about any of our services and benefits;
• Is needed to obtain any of our benefits or services; or,
• Explains how to comply with a requirement that we administer or enforce.

We pledge to provide you with information that is clear, understandable, and useful in every paper or electronic letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction we publish.

Our pledge is in keeping with our long-standing commitment to provide you with the information you need from us. President Obama emphasized the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration" in his January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government.

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires that all federal agencies write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use." To ensure that USDA meets our obligations we have assigned several senior officials to serve as Plain Language Officers and oversee implementation of the Act.

• James Gore, Acting Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat
• Jerold R. Mande, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
• John Padalino, Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Rural Development

We encourage you to read our Plain Writing Act Compliance Report to learn about our plan for ensuring compliance once the Act comes into full effect later this fall. Beginning in April 2012, we will also post our annual progress report on this page.

Tell us how we're doing! If you have trouble understanding any of our documents or web site material, please contact David Aten at david.aten@osec.usda.gov. Your comments and suggestions will help us further improve our communications.

On July 13, 2011, we will post a report here that outlines our progress so far. We will also update you annually on our progress beginning in April 2012.

On October 13, 2011 the Plain Writing Act takes full effect. In order to assist you with your Plain Language training and ensuring that USDA complies with the Act we have listed some resources for you to explore.

The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is the official interagency working group designated to assist in issuing plain writing guidance. The PLAIN web site includes guidelines on plain language and tools for writing in plain language.

• Federal Plain Language Web Site
• Federal Plain Language Guidelines
• Federal Plain Language Tips and Tools
• Plain Writing Act of 2010

In addition to the Federal Plain Language website tools and resources available, USDA has developed its own materials to assist employees with Plain Language training and compliance, and guide you through the process of integrating plain writing into covered documents.

• Plain Language Writer's Checklist
• Plain Language Reviewer's Checklist
• Plain Language Training Resources
• USDA Plain Writing AgLearn Training

We are also developing an AgLearn training module that will include a comprehensive guide to writing and reviewing Plain Language, and will be used to train employees across USDA. A suggested course that is already developed and available on AgLearn is titled "Business Writing: How to Write Clearly and Concisely".

• Aglearn

Some other good resources developed by other Federal agencies that discuss how to write using Plain Language in technical writing can be found using the links listed below. These include guides on how to write Federal Register notices, legal documents, short rules, and more.

• Federal Register Tools for Plain Language
• SEC Plain Writing Handbook