BRIDGES TO OPPORTUNITY

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARM SERVICE AGENCY FACT SHEET

January 2017

Bridges to Opportunity

OVERVIEW

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm 

Service Agency (FSA) serves America’s farmers, 

ranchers and anyone interested in agriculture through 

a network of over 2,100 offices in nearly every rural 

county in the United States, providing localized, inperson service to potential and current farmers and 

ranchers who, in turn, provide our nation and the world 

with safe, affordable and reliable food, fuel and fiber.

In 2014, FSA began to explore how this unique 

network of local offices can function as an even bigger 

informational gateway to connect current and future 

agricultural producers with more information and 

resources beyond those provided by USDA alone.

Today through the Bridges to Opportunity service 

(Bridges), FSA is working with nonfederal partners 

to provide farmers, ranchers and anyone interested 

in agriculture with information on topics ranging 

from organic production, beginning farmer resources, 

integrated pest management, disaster assistance, 

conservation practices, agricultural educational 

courses, loans, grants and other financial assistance that 

can benefit and grow a farming and ranching operation 

— helping more farmers, ranchers or anyone interested 

in agriculture achieve their version of the American 

Dream.

HOW BRIDGES TO OPPORTUNITY 

WORKS

USDA has partnered with thousands of local, state, 

regional and national agricultural organizations that 

offer programs, nongovernmental grants, technical 

assistance, financial advice and other information that 

can help current and future farmers and ranchers. For 

example, a farmer, rancher or someone interested in 

agriculture may visit an FSA county office seeking 

information on organic production. Using specialized 

software, an FSA employee now can search and 

obtain a list of all local, state, regional and national 

organizations offering resources and services on 

organic production. The FSA employee can email or 

print that information for the producer, plus contact the 

partner organization regarding the producer’s interest. 

The Bridges database contains information on all 

subject matters that affect farmers, ranchers and anyone 

interested in agriculture on a wide range of topics, 

including but not limited to drought relief, beginning 

farmer information and disaster assistance.

LOCATION

Bridges began as a pilot in October 2014 in five states. 

In April 2015, Bridges moved into Phase 2, expanding 

into 20 states and 202 county offices that service 

318 counties. Today, Bridges is available nationwide 

in over 2,100 county offices across the country.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Bridges to Opportunity, 

visit the website at www.fsa.usda.gov/bridges or 

contact an FSA county office. To find a county office, 

visit http://offices.usda.gov.

________________________________________

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, 

its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in 

or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating 

based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity 

(including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, 

marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public 

assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for 

prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or 

funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 

complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 

American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 

Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 

877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available 

in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 

Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online 

at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any 

USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the 

letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy 

of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed 

form or letter to USDA by:

1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant

 Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW

 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.