USDA and the FFA National Convention October 27, 2004 The Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., was the center of activity for the 77th National Convention of the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Restoring Wetlands in the Upper Midwest October 27, 2004 The FSA recently announced that prairie potholes are now eligible for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program.

Protecting Playas in the Midwest October 26, 2004 FSA and Kansas officials recently announced the Conservation Reserve Program’s (CRP) new Wetlands Restoration Initiative to protect playas in the Midwest.

FSA Launches Quail Initiative in Georgia October 20, 2004 FSA Administrator Jim Little and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss recently visited Moultrie, Ga., where they launched an initiative to restore 8,600 Georgia acres of habitat for bobwhite quail.

BUSH ADMINISTRATION EXPANDS CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM Wednesday, August 04, 2004 The CRP 29th Sign-up ended on September 24, 2004, however you still have time to submit your comments on the CRP Long-Term Policy.

$207-MILLION CONSERVATION PROGRAM WILL HELP PROTECT DRINKING WATER IN COLUMBUS, OHIO Monday, October 18, 2004 Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced a $207.3 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to voluntarily improve water quality in Ohio's Scioto River Watershed, the main source of drinking water for the City of Columbus.

FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS PROCESS Monday, October 18, 2004 The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Informing Florida Producers About Disaster Aid Thursday, September 30, 2004 FSA Administrator Jim Little recently attended town hall meetings in Florida where he shared the news of a special disaster relief program.

FLORIDA HURRICANE AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Thursday, October 14, 2004 Three USDA Programs will provide special disaster relief to producers who suffered from crop damage and tree losses and must perform related cleanup in certain areas from Hurricanes Charley, Frances and/or Jeanne during August and September of 2004.

USDA Unveils Minority Farm Register August 19, 2004

President Unveils Conservation Measures to Protect Wildlife and Fragile Land August 04, 2004 On August 4, President Bush visited Katzenmeyer Farm in Le Sueur, Minnesota, to announce several key new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) initiatives that will help protect wildlife, water and land resources. The President outlined four CRP measures that will expand the program’s benefits and success.

Administrator's Honor Awards Ceremony: “Leading the Way at FSA” Wednesday, June 23, 2004 On June 23, 2004, FSA Administrator Jim Little presented this year's Administrator Honor Awards.

CREP Forum Brings Conservationists to Keystone State Monday, June 21, 2004 Conservationists from across the nation attended the 2004 National CREP Forum in Hershey, Pa.

Aldaya Selected as a Finalist for the 2004 Service to America Medals Wednesday, June 16, 2004 FSA's George Aldaya has been selected as a finalist for the 2004 Service to America Medals.

Farm Service Agency Receives NISH Award Tuesday, May 25, 2004 Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Jim Little was presented with the 2004 Government Award for Product during the NISH (formerly the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped) Annual Training Conference held in Hollywood, Fla., on May 25th.

Administrator Addresses Attendees of Price Support Training Wednesday, May 26, 2004 FSA Administrator Jim Little recently visited the Agency's national price support training in St. Louis, Mo., to thank employees for their efforts in implementing the nation's "most complicated" farm bill.

Supporting People Who Help Feed a Nation Friday, May 21, 2004 FSA Administrator Jim Little recently toured Arc-diversified, a nonprofit that prepares food items by employing severely disabled individuals.

FSA Announces Source Water Protection Program Thursday, May 20, 2004 While gray skies hovered over Washington, D.C., spirits were bright among those attending the kick-off of a new FSA project that will help prevent the pollution of drinking water in rural areas across the country.

FSA Administrator Co-Chairs Interim National Drought Council Meeting Wednesday, May 19, 2004 Farm Service Agency Administrator James Little acted as designated co-chair for Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman during the May 19 Interim Drought Council Meeting held at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

CRP: Planting for the Future National Conference Tuesday, June 9, 2004 The conference, in Fort Collins, Colo., focused on developing future directions for the Conservation Reserve Program and was targeted to CRP stakeholders with scientific and environmental backgrounds.

Farm Business Plan Training Underway in Omaha Thursday, April 5, 2004 Training for the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) new Farm Business Plan (FBP) successfully kicked off on April 5 in Omaha, Neb., with an opening ceremony that featured an array of officials.

VENEMAN LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE OHIO RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY March 22, 2004 Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman visits the McElhaney Stock Farm in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, to announce a $146 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partnership agreement with Pennsylvania to improve water conditions in the Ohio River, the third largest drainage basin in the Gulf of Mexico watershed.

FSA Stands Tall at Commodity Classic March 09, 2004 The U.S. Department of Agriculture displayed some of its high tech energy to an enthusiastic and optimistic crowd of producers at the 9th Annual Commodity Classic held March 2-4 in Las Vegas.

NASS/FSA MOU SIGNING February 27, 2004 On Friday, February 27th, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASS and FSA was signed by Ron Bosecker and Jim Little. The new MOU replaced the previous MOU, which was signed in 1992.

FSA at the 2004 Ag Outlook Forum February 20, 2004 During the 2004 Ag Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va., employees of FSA's Office of External Affairs educated people from around the world and across the United States about the Agency and its many programs.

FSA's Black History Month Program February 11, 2004 "Black History Month gives each of us the opportunity to reflect on the words and lessons of leaders who have come before us and the great individuals who set examples for us today." Those were among the many sentiments expressed by FSA Administrator Jim Little during the Agency's recent Black History Month program, held in the USDA South Building in Washington, D.C.

New Jersey CREP to Protect Atlantic Ocean February 03, 2004 Administrator Jim Little traveled to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to join New Jersey Governor James McGreevey in announcing a $100-million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partnership with New Jersey to improve water quality of streams filtering into the Atlantic Ocean.

NEW HR WEBSITE LAUNCHED February 04, 2004 A new comprehensive web site has been launched for Human Resources in FFAS.

FSA Media Gallery January 15, 2004 The FSA Media Gallery contains Farm Service Agency related photos and electronic media from across the USA.

Now Open for Fun! FSA Kids December 30, 2003

USDA Helps Provide a Miracle on 138th Street December 15, 2003 On Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) helped 5,000 Harlem families receive what so many of us take for granted – food. This historical event was coordinated by Feed the Children (FTC), the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the Abyssinian Baptist Church, USDA, the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, and several hundred volunteers.

Farm Service Agency Vision Statement December 04, 2003

FSA Joins NFL to Help Feed Poor at Thanksgiving November 25, 2003 USDA's Farm Service Agency joined the starting line up of nine NFL teams to help distribute food, non-fat dry milk and personal care items to more than 7,500 needy families across the country.