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Public Service Recognition Week: Thank You, AMS!

Posted by Elanor Starmer, Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator in Food and Nutrition Research and Science
May 03, 2016
Associate Deputy Administrator Melissa Bailey (center) with staff from Fort Worth, Texas PACA division
Associate Deputy Administrator Melissa Bailey (center) with staff from our Fort Worth, Texas PACA division. Since implementation, over 3,700 claims worth more than $66 million have been resolved by our Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) division, which helps protect the American produce industry.

At USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), our 4,000 employees work hard every day to support the country’s diverse agricultural operations. Whether it’s individual farmers or international businesses, we have a long tradition of collaborating, innovating, and evolving to keep American agriculture competitive in the global marketplace.

As part of Public Service Recognition Week, I would like to introduce you to some of our employees and tell you about the remarkable work they do each and every day.

From our grading services to our grant programs, AMS employees are committed to helping businesses and communities thrive and contribute to America’s economy. We purchase wholesome foods for USDA’s feeding programs, helping ensure that children and families across the nation have food on their tables and access to healthy school lunches.

USDA Market News reporters Bartley Brogan & Carol Meinders
From left to right, USDA Market News reporters Bartley Brogan & Carol Meinders work on grain market reporting at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. USDA Market News released over 250,000 reports with over 53 million views in 2015.

We also provide services that give consumers confidence in the quality of the food they purchase and add value to American products – whether through the National Organic Program or our export verification program for products shipped overseas.  We do all these things—and much more—with ingenuity, persistence and a strong commitment to help others.

I’m proud of my agency and the many folks like them across USDA who serve the American public.  I hope you’ll join me in thanking them this week—and every week.

Nina Crawford (left) and Nakisha Harris (right) volunteering at DC Central Kitchen
Nina Crawford (left) and Nakisha Harris (right) from our Budget & Financial Operations Branch don’t just give at the office—they also volunteer their time at the DC Central Kitchen.

To meet more of the wonderful AMS employees that bring you crucial services and ensure the quality of agricultural goods, follow us on Twitter.

AMS Food Chemists Lauren Shoemaker, Jonathan Barber and Kouassi Dje
AMS Food Chemists Lauren Shoemaker, Jonathan Barber and Kouassi Dje. Our Science & Technology Program provides vital testing services for a variety of food products, including testing 112 commodities for 450 different pesticides.