USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA)—the agency responsible for equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners in the United States with effective agricultural programs—recently launched a Spanish-language Twitter account. We hope it helps to reach Hispanic farmers and ranchers in a new way. We’ll “tweet” the latest information on farm programs, loan announcements and emergency designations. We’ll also issue updates via Twitter on the Hispanic and women farmers claims process.
“We are excited to offer a tool that reaches folks for whom English is not their first language,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. “As the population of Hispanic farmers and ranchers continues to grow, we need to grow with them and provide resources to help educate and inform all of our customers.”
As part of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s cultural transformation initiative, the department has taken steps to ensure that all farmers and ranchers have equal access to programs available through the Farm Service Agency.
Over the last fiscal year, more than 5,650 loans and $509 million in support were obligated to minority and women farmers under FSA's loan programs. The agency also saw its lowest number of civil rights complaints since the agency began. Out of 2 million producers the agency has served, 37 complaints were received.
“We have come a long way and we will continue to serve all farmers and ranchers who have dedicated their lives to feeding the American people,” said Nelson.
Anyone can access the FSA’s Spanish-language Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/#!/usdafsa_es and join in on the news, make comments and offer suggestions.