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  <h1 class="usda-page-title"><span>Freedom of Information Act Division</span>
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  <h2><strong>Welcome!</strong></h2>

<p>The Office of Information Affairs (OIA) is the focal point for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program.</p>

<p>Enacted in 1966, the FOIA provides that any person has a right to obtain access to agency records, except to the extent that such records, or portions of them, are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of the three law enforcement exclusions.</p>

<p>Are you interested in filing a FOIA request? If so, please click on the “Getting Started -- Information for USDA FOIA Requesters” tab below.</p>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>Getting Started -- Information for USDA FOIA Requesters</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p>To see USDA’s requirements for making a request, please review §1.3 Requirements for Making a Request of our FOIA Regulations.</p>

	<p>Some additional tips and reminders are below:</p>

	<ol>
		<li>Before submitting FOIA requests, we encourage you to review USDA’s website. USDA routinely posts records so you may find what you are looking for is already publicly available. For high interest and frequently requested items, please be sure to check out our electronic reading rooms.</li>
		<li>The FOIA does not require agencies to do research, answer written questions, or create agency records in order to respond to a request. Accordingly, please make sure your request is framed in a way to direct a search for specific agency records.</li>
		<li>While USDA remains in a maximum telework status to protect its employees and their communities, please consider scoping your requests to those items that can be retrieved electronically to facilitate more efficient processing.</li>
		<li>Please ensure any follow-up communication regarding your request includes the assigned internal tracking number. Doing so will help us to quickly retrieve the details of your requests.</li>
		<li>If you cannot determine which USDA FOIA component is responsible for the records you want, address your FOIA request to USDAFOIA@usda.gov.</li>
	</ol>
	</dd>
</dl>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>FOIA Reading Rooms</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p>Below are links to the individual USDA FOIA component electronic reading rooms.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Staff Offices' Reading Room</li>
		<li>Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services (FNS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Forest Service (FS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Farm Service Agency (FSA) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Rural Development (RD) Reading Room</li>
		<li>Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - includes Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Reading Room</li>
		<li>Risk Management Agency (RMA) Reading Room</li>
	</ul>
	</dd>
</dl>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>USDA FOIA Points of Contact</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p>USDA has a quasi-decentralized FOIA program. Many FOIA components are independently handling and processing its requests. Therefore, before submitting your request, you should try to determine whether it is likely that the component will have the records you are seeking. You can view the descriptions of each FOIA component by clicking on the respective component links below.</p>

	<p>If after reviewing the descriptions, you are unsure about which FOIA component will have responsive records, submit your request to the Director for the Office of Information Affairs.</p>

	<p><strong>Office of Information Affairs (OIA)</strong></p>

	<p>The Office of Information Affairs processes records requests for all USDA staff offices except the Office of Inspector General. The Office of Information Affairs also processes records requests for the Research, Education and Economics and the Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission areas.</p>

	<p>Office of the General Counsel (OGC)</p>

	<p>Research, Education and Economics (REE)</p>

	<p>Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)</p>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for the OIA should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Alexis Graves, OIA Director<br>
	Email: USDAFOIA@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Office of Inspector General</strong></p>

	<p>Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigates allegations of crime against the Department’s program and promotes the economy and efficiency of its operations.</p>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for OIG should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Alison Decker, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: FOIASTAFF@oig.usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Farm Production and Conservation</strong></p>

	<p>Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Risk Management Agency) implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>FPAC-BC FOIA

		<ul>
			<li>Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)</li>
			<li>Farm Service Agency (FSA)</li>
			<li>Risk Management Agency (RMA)</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for FPAC should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Patrick McLoughlin, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services</strong></p>

	<p>Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services works to harness the Nation's agricultural abundance to end hunger and improve health in the United States. Its agencies administer federal domestic nutrition assistance programs and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers through science-based dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for FNS should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Kevin Lynch, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: FOIA-FNS@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Food Safety</strong></p>

	<p>Food Safety ensures that the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, and packaged. This mission area also plays a key role in the President's Council on Food Safety and has been instrumental in coordinating a national food safety strategic plan among various partner agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for FSIS should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Dexter Johnson, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: FSIS.FOIA@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Marketing and Regulatory Programs</strong></p>

	<p>Marketing and Regulatory Programs facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensures the health and care of animals and plants. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international standards.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)</li>
		<li>Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for AMS should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Mark R. Brook, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: AMS.FOIA@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for APHIS should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Tonya Woods, FOIA/PA Officer<br>
	Email: FOIA.Officer@usda.gov</p>

	<p><strong>Natural Resources and Environment</strong></p>

	<p>Natural Resources and Environment ensures the health of the land through sustainable management. Its agency works to prevent damage to natural resources and the environment, restore the resource base, and promote good land management.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Forest Service (FS)</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for Forest Service should be directed to:</strong><br>
	<em>Forest Service – Washington Office</em><br>
	Margaret Scofield, FOIA Officer<br>
	Email: SM.FS.WOFOIA@usda.gov</p>

	<p><em>Forest Service – Regional Offices/Stations</em><br>
	Email addresses for specific locations are listed via Forest Service’s Contact FOIA Service Centers</p>

	<p><strong>Rural Development</strong></p>

	<p>Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America by providing financial programs to support essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. Rural Development promotes economic development by providing loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools, while also assisting communities to participate in community empowerment programs.</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Rural Business Service</li>
		<li>Rural Utilities Service</li>
		<li>Rural Housing Service</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>FOIA inquiries for RBS, RUS and RHS should be directed to:</strong><br>
	Lolita Barnes, FOIA/PA Officer<br>
	Email: RD.FOIA@usda.gov</p>
	</dd>
</dl>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>Submit Online FOIA Requests Here</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p>Please be advised that our FOIA components are continuing to process requests to the best of their ability during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during USDA’s maximized telework operating status, FOIA professionals will not have daily access to delivered mail and facsimile transmissions. Therefore, USDA strongly encourages you to submit your requests online using one of the two options below. USDA also encourages you to consider scoping your requests to electronic files only as analysts likely have reduced access to offices where paper files are maintained.</p>

	<p>Please note that the online submission sites do not currently provide the ability to submit a single FOIA request to multiple components. You can, however, easily submit the same request to multiple components or alternatively, you can submit one request to the General Counsel’s Office of Information Affairs (OIA) by selecting the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) component. Upon receipt, the OIA will then forward your request to the appropriate USDA component(s).</p>

	<p><strong>Submit Online via USDA’s Public Access Link (PAL)</strong></p>

	<p>You can access the USDA PAL web portal (USDA Public Access Link (PAL) that allows you to create, submit, and track the status of your FOIA request(s). You can also use PAL to download your responsive records. Prior to use, you must register and create a username and password.</p>

	<p><strong>Submit Online via FOIA.GOV (Department of Justice National FOIA Portal)</strong></p>

	<p>FOIA requests can also be submitted via the Department of Justice National FOIA Portal (FOIA.GOV). From the FOIA.GOV main screen, click “Create a Request” to get started. You can search for a specific USDA component, or search for “Department of Agriculture” to see a list of all USDA FOIA components.</p>
	</dd>
</dl>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>USDA FOIA Reports</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<div>
	<h3>USDA Annual FOIA Reports</h3>

	<ul>
		<li>FY 2023 (PDF, 874 KB) | XML (XML, 566 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 2.3 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2022 (PDF, 2.9 MB) | XML (XML, 563 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 2.7 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2021 (PDF, 6.5 MB) | XML (XML, 574 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 3.2 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2020 (PDF, 1.4 MB) | XML (XML, 571 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 4.1 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2019 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 527 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 5.2 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2018 (PDF, 1.7 MB) | XML (XML, 554 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 5.3 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2017 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 561 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 3.6 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2016 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 532 KB) | Raw Data (XLSX, 3.4 MB)</li>
		<li>FY 2015 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 534 KB)</li>
		<li>FY 2014 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 531 KB)</li>
		<li>FY 2013 (PDF, 1.6 MB) | XML (XML, 541 KB)</li>
		<li>FY 2012 (PDF, 1.2 MB) | XML (XML, 560 KB)</li>
		<li>FY 2011 (PDF, 1.7 MB) | XML (XML, 561 KB)</li>
		<li>FY 2010 (PDF, 4.0 MB) | XML (XML, 569 KB)</li>
	</ul>
	</div>

	<div>
	<h3>USDA Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer Report</h3>
	</div>

	<ul>
		<li>2024 (PDF, 508 KB)</li>
		<li>2023 (PDF, 910 KB)</li>
		<li>2022 (PDF, 792 KB)</li>
		<li>2021 (PDF, 508 KB)</li>
		<li>2020 (PDF, 347 KB)</li>
		<li>2019 (PDF, 602 KB)</li>
		<li>2018 (PDF, 730 KB)</li>
		<li>2017 (PDF, 1.1 MB)</li>
		<li>2016 (PDF, 1011 KB)</li>
		<li>2015 (PDF, 2.2 MB)</li>
		<li>2014 (PDF, 2.5 MB)</li>
		<li>2013 (PDF, 794 KB)</li>
		<li>2012 (PDF, 493 KB)</li>
		<li>2011 (PDF, 310 KB)</li>
		<li>2010 (PDF, 837 KB)</li>
	</ul>

	<div>
	<h3>USDA Quarterly Reports</h3>
	</div>

	<ul>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q4, FY23 (PDF, 83 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q3, FY23 (PDF, 110 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q2, FY23 (PDF, 112 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q1, FY23 (PDF, 83.1 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q4, FY22 (PDF, 85.0 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q3, FY22 (PDF, 107 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q2, FY22 (PDF, 106 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q1, FY22 (PDF, 155 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q4, FY21 (PDF, 118 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q3, FY21 (PDF, 107 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q2, FY21 (PDF, 106 KB)</li>
		<li>FOIA Quarterly Report Q1, FY21 (PDF, 155 KB)</li>
	</ul>
	</dd>
</dl>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>FOIA Resources</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<ul>
		<li>Secretary Memo on FOIA Compliance (PDF, 177 KB)</li>
		<li>The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 As Amended By Public Law No. 110-175, 121 Stat. 2524 (PDF, 79 KB)</li>
		<li>USDA’s FOIA Regulations</li>
		<li>Digital FOIA Training
		<ul>
			<li>Training for Executives</li>
			<li>Training for Federal Employees</li>
			<li>Training for FOIA Professionals</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
	</ul>
	</dd>
</dl>

  </div>

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