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Agricultural Trade
Q. What policies affect agricultural trade?
A. Two major agreements shape agricultural trade. The North American Free Trade Agreement and the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture. Other trade policies and negotiations also have an impact on agricultural trade.
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Camping Reservations
Q. How do I make lodging reservations in a National Forest?
A. Lodging sources include Cabins, Towers and Campsites. To make a reservation you must contact the location where you wish to stay. back to top
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Country trade information
Q. How do I find trade news about a particular country?
A. Market reports, import and export data, weather and other information is available for several countries on the Foreign Agricultural Service website. back to top
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Customer Statement
Q. What is the USDA Customer Statement?
A. In January, 2004, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that eGovernment initiatives would be a special focus of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2004. The USDA Customer Statement is part of this effort and brings to the farmer and rancher un-precedented online access to their business activities with USDA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. back to top
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Distance Learning & Telemedicine
Q. What services are offered and how do I apply?
A. Three types of assistance are available, and an application guide includes eligibility requirements and forms. Requirements are available on the Telecommunications website. back to top
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Exports
Q. How do I find production and supply figures worldwide?
A. Current and historical data on agricultural commodities for the United States and key producing and consuming countries is available at the Production, Supply, Distribution Database. back to top
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Food Stamps
Q. How do I obtain Food Stamps?
A. Go to your local food stamp office and fill out an application. You have the right to submit the application the same day. You can call the office and ask that an application be sent to you, fill it in and send it by mail. The local office will give you an appointment for an interview. For more information on the Food Stamp Program. back to top
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Forest Service employment
Q. How do I find a job with the Forest Service?
A. All Forest Service jobs are listed in the USAJOBS database. Select USDA, Forest Service. back to top
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Free Trees
Q. Does the Forest Service give away free trees?
A. The Forest Service no longer gives away free trees. Each State has a Forest Service Nursery that supplies seedlings to private landowners, and can be located on the National Nursery Directory. back to top
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Golden Access/Golden Age/Golden Eagle pass
Q. How do I get a Golden pass?
A. Specific details about each pass, the cost, and instructions to obtain a pass are available in the Passes and Permits section of the U.S. Forest Service website. back to top
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Grading and Inspection
Q. What is the difference between USDA grading and inspection?
A. Grading and classing services provided by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service are voluntary tools paid for and used by industry to help promote quality to customers. Inspection of meat.poultry and eggs for safety is required by law and is performed by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. back to top
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Organic
Q. How does USDA define the term “organic?”
A. Organic food is produced using sustainable agricultural production practices. Not permitted are most conventional pesicides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poulty, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The USDA National Organic Program website has more information including inspection and certification. back to top
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Prices of Commodities
Q. How can I get up-to-the-minute commodity prices?
A. AMS Market News reports collect data from actual transactions at local, regional, national and international markets. The reports include information on prices, volume, quality and condition. back to top
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Rural Broadband Access
Q. Will Rural Utilities Service finance customer equipment?
A. RUS can finance customer terminal equipment which will be owned by the applicant. An application guide, and information about loans and construction procedures is available through the Rural Utilities Service. back to top
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Rural Electricity
Q. Is there a program to help pay for electricity connection?
A. Connection costs to a home or business is an issue between the utility and the individual, but there may be potential for sharing costs. Information on Rural Utilities Service. back to top
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Rural Home Loans
Q. How do I get a rural home loan?
A. New and existing home loan borrowers for single family homes, multi-family homes, and community facilities should contact the Centralized Servicing Center. back to top
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School Lunch Program
Q. How do children qualify?
A. Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level ($23,530 for a family of four) are eligible for free meals. Those children with family income between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level (185 percent is $33,485) are eligible for reduced-price meals. Children from families with incomes over 185 percent of the poverty level pay full price, though their meals are subsidized to some extent. Afterschool snacks are provided to children on the same income eligibility basis as school meals, except all snacks are free where at least 50 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Information on the National School Lunch Program. back to top
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WIC Program
Q. Who is eligible for the Women Infants and Children program?
A. Pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a State residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at “nutritional risk” by a health professional. A system of priorities has been established for filling program openings. Information about the WIC Program. back to top
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