24 Agricultural Commodities and Marketing • CROP INSURANCE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Government-operated insurance program. To protect agricultural producers from loss of cash expenses owing to crop failure due to droughts, freezes, hail, floods, insects, diseases, and other natural disasters. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Richard H. Aslakson, Manager Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C. 20250 EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKETING Extension Sevice Department of Agriculture Federal Extension Service (in cooperation with State and local County Extension Services) offers advisory services and counseling through conferences, research, and educational activities. Liaison with other Government-sponsored marketing services. Technical information and aids are available upon request. INFORMATION CONTACT County Cooperative Extension Service Office. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE S. Q. Hoobler, Director Feasibility studies and other technical assistance related to processing and utilization of agricultural products, particularly those involving new products and new techniques. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE T. W. Edminster, Administrator Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 388-3656 Agricultural Commodities and Marketing • FEED GRAINS, DIRECT PAYMENTS Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Department of Agriculture Payments to feed grain producers for complying with requirement for set-aside acres and conserving bases. This is a land diversion and price support program. Level of payments is determined by Congress at not less than 32 cents per bushel and administrative determinations of the Secretary of Agriculture. Purpose of the program is to adjust the production of surplus crops, and to make the price-support loan program more effective. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Kenneth E. Frick, Administrator Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 388-3467 GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OF COMMODITIES Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Open market purchases of farm commodities for (1) export, (2) government feeding programs, (3) military consumption, (4) balancing market supply and demand. Determination of the price paid by the government varies from com modity to commodity; and is subject to (1) legislative directives by Congress, (2) administrative decisions by the Secretary of Agriculture, (3) competitive bids. Purpose of the program is to help maintain farm income and to promote the orderly marketing of farm commodities. 26 Agricultural Commodities and Marketing LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY MARKET SUPERVISION Packers and Stockyards Administration Department of Agriculture Investigates complaints against unfair practices in the marketing of livestock, meat, and poultry. Protects members of the livestock, meat, and poultry industry against unfair, deceptive, discriminatory, and monopolistic practices of competitors. Reparation awards for money damages can be awarded against stockyard owners or operators, livestock commission men, or dealers. PROGRAM LITERATURE "The Packers and Stockyards Act. What It Is and How It Operates" PA-399. "The Packers and Stockyards 'Resume". "Livestock Payment Guidelines for Producers". INFORMATION CONTACT Regional Offices of Packers and Stockyards Administration. (See appendix, Department of Agriculture.) HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Odin Langen, Administrator Packers and Stockyards Administration Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 388-7051 AUTHORIZING STATUTE Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended, Public Law 67-51; 42 Stat. 159; 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq. BEEKEEPERS INDEMNITY PAYMENTS Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Direct payments to beekeepers who have suffered losses of honeybees as a result of use of economic poisons near to property on which bee hives were located. Contact County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Office. Agricultural Act of 1970. Public Law 91-524. Agricultural Commodities and Marketing • MARKETING ORDERS AND AGREEMENTS Consumer and Marketing Service Department of Agriculture ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Issuance of marketing orders or marketing agreements. channels. The provisions of an order are designed to meet the problems of a specific commodity or a designated market area. ELIGIBILITY Representative grower groups in the industry or in a market area. APPLICATION PROCESS By letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, fully documenting the need for an agreement or order. Detailed provisions of the order are based on the results of investigation and evidence presented at a public hearing. Marketing orders must be approved by growers or producers in a referendum. PROGRAM LITERATURE "Federal Milk Marketing Order Program." HEADQUARTERS OFFICE John C. Blum, Deputy Administrator Regulatory Programs Consumer and Marketing Service Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 388-3203 AUTHORIZING STATUTE Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended; 28 MARKETING RESEARCH Economic Research Service Agricultural Commodities and Marketing Research on national and regional marketing problems. Research results may be relevant to specific problems of individuals, organizations, or communities. Publications are available from Office of Information, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. PROGRAM LITERATURE "This is ERS" ERS-423. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Mr. Quentin West, Administrator Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 962-1487 MARKETING SERVICES Consumer and Marketing Service Department of Agriculture Matching grants to State Departments of Agriculture. Funds may be used to (1) develop new and expanded markets, (2) improve efficiency, (3) reduce market costs, (4) collect and distribute timely market information. PROGRAM LITERATURE "A Guide to Procedures Relating to Marketing Service Programs". "Highlights of Matching Fund Marketing Service Programs”. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE George H. Goldsborough, Director Matching Fund Programs Consumer and Marketing Service Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Telephone: (202) 388-7691 |