The Department of Agriculture Thursday announced more help for women and Hispanic farmers in resolving access issues to USDA programs. The expanded help by the USDA Ombudsperson is focused on Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development programs in California, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says: “The Ombudsperson is another avenue for producers to highlight their shared concerns, while also allowing key issues to be brought to USDA’s leaders.” The office was created to serve as an independent, neutral, confidential and informal resource, that advocates for changes within the department. More information about the Office of the Ombudsperson is available at USDA dot gov slash ombudsperson. (www.usda.gov/ombudsperson).
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.