Farm Credit Administration 

Office of Inspector General

STRATEGIC 

PLAN 

Fiscal Years

2020-2024 

Revised September 2021
Table of Contents

Message from the Inspector General.......................................................................................... 1

Background.................................................................................................................................... 2

The Farm Credit System...........................................................................................................................................2

The Farm Credit Administration............................................................................................................................2

The Office of Inspector General ............................................................................................................................2

Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals .............................................................................................. 4

Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures.......................................................... 5

Goal 1: Promote Economy and Efficiency ........................................................................................................5

Goal 2: Prevent and Detect Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.................................................................................6

Goal 3: Strengthen Internal and External Relationships .............................................................................7

Key Factors Affecting the Strategic Outlook.............................................................................. 8

The Farm Credit System...........................................................................................................................................8

The FCA Environment ...............................................................................................................................................8

Budget Challenges .....................................................................................................................................................8

Want to Learn More About.......................................................................................................... 9

Our Recent Work? ......................................................................................................................................................9

Our Plans for Future Work? ....................................................................................................................................9

Our Budget? .................................................................................................................................................................9

How to Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse? ...........................................................................................................9

Cover: Photograph of Iowa farm, courtesy of Mike Duffy.
1 

Message from the Inspector General

I am very pleased to present the Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency) Office of Inspector 

General’s (OIG) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024. This document outlines the vision, 

mission, values, goals, objectives, and performance measures of our office in carrying out our 

responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (IG Act). To ensure its 

continued relevance, the OIG will revise this document as appropriate to reflect changes in

conditions and OIG operations.

Our office will continue to focus on its independent oversight role by: 

• Protecting the Agency from fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement; 

• Finding more efficient and effective ways to improve the Agency’s programs, processes, 

and operations;

• Communicating problems and recommendations to FCA senior leadership and Congress; 

• Strengthening our relationship with FCA through education and other outreach efforts; 

and

• Participating in the Inspector General (IG) community.

Since 1989, the OIG has successfully assisted the Agency in fulfilling its oversight mission to ensure 

a safe and sound Farm Credit System (System) and the future of agriculture and rural America. I 

am honored to be a part of a larger community that protects, strengthens, and adds value to

government programs and operations. 

Wendy R. Laguarda

Inspector General
2 

Background

The Farm Credit System

First established in 1916, the System is a nationwide network of borrow-owned cooperative 

financial institutions and service organizations. A government-sponsored enterprise, the System

is designed to better the income and well-being of farmers, ranchers, and rural America by 

providing a safe and reliable source of credit and related financial services. The System also 

includes the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac), a stockholder-owned, 

federally chartered instrumentality that provides a secondary market for agricultural real estate 

mortgage loans, rural housing loans, and rural utility cooperative loans.

The Farm Credit Administration

FCA is an independent federal agency responsible for ensuring that the System remains a 

dependable source of credit for agriculture and rural America. Authorized by the Farm Credit Act 

of 1971, as amended, FCA ensures the safety and soundness of System institutions by issuing 

policies and regulations, and by regularly examining System institutions to assess compliance with 

applicable laws and regulations. FCA is overseen by a three-person board, members of which are 

appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Chair of the Board, 

who also serves as the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, is designated by the President and serves 

in that role until the end of the Chair’s term.

The Office of Inspector General

Established in January 1989 pursuant to the IG Act, the OIG provides oversight that promotes 

economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in FCA programs and operations. Located within the 

Agency, the OIG is led by the IG who, while appointed by the FCA Board, is endowed with statutory 

authorities that ensure that the OIG’s mission is performed with independence and objectivity. 

The OIG carries out its oversight activities in accordance with the IG Act and professional standards 

established by the Government Accountability Office and the IG community.

While the OIG employs a variety of tools to ensure comprehensive oversight of the Agency, its 

activities generally fall within one of the following categories.

Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations 

The OIG conducts audits, inspections, and evaluations to provide FCA, Congress, and the public 

with timely, useful, and reliable information on significant issues. These reviews of FCA programs 

and operations are the primary vehicles by which the OIG develops recommendations to promote 

economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Agency programs and prevent waste and

mismanagement.
3 

Investigations 

OIG investigative activities, whether undertaken proactively or in response to a complaint, 

endeavor to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in Agency programs. In support of this function, 

the OIG maintains a hotline enabling FCA employees and members of the public, through multiple 

avenues, to confidentially report suspected wrongdoing. When appropriate, the OIG coordinates 

with the Department of Justice and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities to 

ensure that violations of law, rule, or regulation are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. 

Outreach

To effectively fulfill its oversight responsibilities, the OIG must engage with Congressional 

oversight committees, FCA leadership and staff, and other stakeholders. Outreach to these parties 

ensures that the OIG remains attuned to potential issues facing the Agency and establishes open 

lines of communication by which the OIG can convey the results of its work. OIG outreach methods 

include providing educational and explanatory material, issuing public reports, and conducting 

briefings. Ongoing efforts include, among other things, the issuance of a quarterly intra-agency 

newsletter—The dIG: Harvesting Change—which seeks to inform FCA employees about the OIG, 

including its mission and operations.

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

The IG also serves as a member of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency 

(CIGIE). Composed of the federal Inspectors General and certain other federal officials, CIGIE was 

established to address cross-agency issues of integrity, economy, and effectiveness and to 

improve the professionalism and effectiveness of OIG personnel. OIG staff regularly participate in

CIGIE committees and initiatives.
4 

Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals

Values

Objectivity, Integrity, Relevance, and Respect

Mission

To provide independent oversight to promote economy, efficiency, 

and effectiveness, and prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse 

in Farm Credit Administration programs and operations

Goals

Promote Economy and Efficiency

Prevent and Detect Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

Strengthen Internal and External Relationships

Vision

Harvesting Change
5 

Strategic Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures

Goal 1: Promote Economy and Efficiency

It is an OIG priority to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of FCA programs 

and operations. This statutory responsibility fuels all aspects of the OIG’s oversight work and is 

the focus of our audit, inspection, and evaluation functions. Reports developed through these 

processes help FCA leadership identify deficiencies and advance the Agency’s future. For other 

stakeholders and the public, these reports bring an extra dimension of transparency to FCA. To 

be impactful, OIG audits, inspections, and evaluations must adhere to the highest standards of 

integrity and objectivity. The OIG strives to meet these standards by conducting thorough, riskbased reviews through a staff equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience.

Strategic Objective Performance Measures

1.1 Execute value-added audits, 

inspections, and evaluations

• Annually develop an oversight agenda 

based on Agency mission, risk, 

activities, and management.

• Complete products in an average time 

of six months.

• At least annually, complete a quality 

assurance review to ensure compliance 

with professional standards and office 

policies and procedures. 

1.2 Produce impactful products • Make recommendations, as necessary,

to management and monthly track 

recommendation status until closure.

1.3 Ensure we have a diverse, professional, 

and highly skilled workforce

• Comply with mandatory training 

requirements and maintain professional 

certifications. 

• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and 

accessibility. 
6 

Goal 2: Prevent and Detect Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

Detecting and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse are responsibilities of the utmost importance to 

the OIG. Left unchecked, violations of law, rule, and regulation, mismanagement, and abuses of 

authority—beyond the initial harm imposed—serve to undermine confidence in FCA. By promptly 

investigating alleged violations and mismanagement in a thorough and objective manner, the OIG 

enables the Agency to timely correct problems and avoid future issues. Toward this end, the OIG 

seeks to educate FCA employees on how to identify and report fraud, waste, and abuse and to 

ensure that they feel safe from retaliation.

Strategic Objective Performance Measures

2.1 Address potential matters of 

wrongdoing and misconduct with 

proficiency, independence, and due 

professional care

•

•

•

Initially evaluate all FCA OIG hotline 

calls, emails, and other submissions 

within two business days of receipt.

Monthly track the status of allegations 

and investigations to ensure timely 

actions.

Perform or undergo annual reviews to 

ensure investigative activities are 

conducted in accordance with quality 

standards and internal policies and 

procedures.

2.2 Provide an independent mechanism to 

report fraud, waste, and abuse

•

•

Maintain a hotline from a source 

independent of the Agency.

Promote awareness of hotline avenues.

2.3 Educate employees and contractors on 

fraud and whistleblower rights and 

protections

• At least twice annually, educate 

employees on fraud, waste, abuse, 

mismanagement, and whistleblower 

protections.
7 

Goal 3: Strengthen Internal and External Relationships

The OIG must stay attuned to the needs, challenges, and interests of FCA leadership, employees, 

and other stakeholders to ensure that our work is relevant and impactful. Toward this end, the 

OIG maintains open lines of communication with all interested parties, allowing us to react swiftly 

and appropriately to potential issues relating to Agency programs and operations. Similarly, clear 

communication enables FCA management and the Congress to address problems identified by 

the OIG. Collaboration with others in the oversight community, including other federal OIGs, is 

also invaluable. Many of the challenges faced by FCA cut across the federal government and merit 

a coordinated response.

Strategic Objective Performance Measures

3.1 Listen to and understand the needs, 

challenges, and interests of our 

stakeholders 

•

•

•

Monthly track reviews of relevant 

existing or proposed legislation and 

regulations. 

Quarterly conduct a confidential survey 

of Farm Credit System institutions on 

the effectiveness of the Agency’s 

examination program.

Annually conduct at least four outreach 

initiatives with employees.

3.2 Report to and fully inform the FCA 

Board and Congress

•

•

•

•

Issue the OIG Semiannual Report to 

Congress within 30 days of the end of 

each reporting period.

At least annually brief Congressional 

oversight committees on OIG activities.

Post all audit, inspection, and 

evaluation reports within three business 

days of issuance to the FCA Board.

At least quarterly, brief FCA Board 

members on OIG activities.

3.3 Participate in and engage with the 

community

IG • Monthly participate in CIGIE 

committees, work groups, or initiatives.
8 

Key Factors Affecting the Strategic Outlook

The Farm Credit System

The environment in which System institutions exist is continually changing. Legislation affecting 

the System or its status as a government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Farm Bill, impact the 

way FCA regulates. The agricultural economy and trade and immigration laws have a direct effect 

on farmers and ranchers which, in turn, affect the health and operations of the System. 

Accordingly, the OIG will continue to review FCA’s oversight role to ensure that it keeps the System 

safe and sound as it navigates through challenging and ever-changing conditions.

The FCA Environment

Governance changes within FCA and its Congressional oversight committees may necessitate 

adjustment of the OIG’s oversight agenda. The OIG endeavors to respond to all Congressional 

requests and statutory requirements, so shifting priorities of FCA’s oversight committees will affect 

OIG goals and resource allocations. Changes to the FCA Board and senior leadership may impact 

Agency priorities, personnel, and organization, requiring the OIG to adjust its oversight to address 

new risk factors. 

Budget Challenges

While the OIG exercises independence in formulating its budget, our office faces constraints 

similar to those of FCA and other federal agencies. As a model for effective and efficient 

government, the OIG will continue to use a prudent mix of its core competencies and external 

resources to fulfill its mission.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in all aspects of American life, and FCA is 

no exception. In response to the pandemic, the Agency has adjusted its operations and oversight 

of System institutions, including by directing most of the workforce to telework and suspending 

on-site examinations. In carrying out its oversight, the OIG must account for these and related 

results of the pandemic.
9 

Want to Learn More About...

Our Recent Work?

The OIG publishes reports of audits, inspections, evaluations, and other reviews on our reports 

page and on Oversight.gov, which hosts reports from OIGs government-wide. Additionally, the 

OIG’s Semiannual Report to Congress provides a comprehensive view of the office’s recent 

oversight activities.

Our Plans for Future Work?

The OIG annually publishes an Audit, Inspection, and Evaluation Plan describing reviews that the 

OIG intends to undertake in the next fiscal years. Throughout the year, OIG responds to emerging 

issues and makes any necessary changes to the plan.

Our Budget?

The OIG annually publishes budget allocations describing the office’s expected resource 

requirements and planned activities for the upcoming fiscal years.

How to Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse?

The OIG Hotline accepts tips and complaints about fraud, waste, or abuse related to FCA programs 

and operations.
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, &

MISMANAGEMENT 

Phone: (800) 437-7322 (Toll-Free)

(703) 883-4316

Fax: (703) 883-4059

Email: fca-ig-hotline@rcn.com

Mail: 1501 Farm Credit Drive

McLean, VA 22102-5090

To learn more about reporting wrongdoing to the OIG, please visit our 

website at https://www.fca.gov/about/inspector-general.