The Corporation is capitalized at $100 million and has statutory authority to borrow up to $25 billion from the U.S. Treasury.

CCC utilizes the personnel and facilities of ASCS and, in certain foreign assistance operations, the Foreign Agricultural Service to carry out its activities.

A commodity office in Kansas City, MO, has specific responsibilities for the acquisition, handling, storage, and disposal of commodities and products held by CCC.

Commodity Stabilization CCC loan, purchase, and/or payment programs are administered by ASCS for wheat, corn, upland and extra-long staple cotton, peanuts, rice, tobacco, milk, wool, mohair, honey, barley, oats, grain sorghum, rye, soybeans, sugarbeets, and sugarcane.

Commodities acquired under the stabilization program are disposed of through domestic and export sales, transfers to other Government agencies, and donations for domestic and foreign welfare use. CCC also is authorized to exchange surplus agricultural

commodities it has acquired by CCC for strategic and other materials and services produced abroad.

Foreign Assistance Under Public Law 480, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1691), CCC carries out assigned foreign assistance activities, such as guaranteeing the credit sale of U.S. agricultural commodities abroad. Major emphasis is also being directed toward meeting the needs of developing nations under the Food for Peace Act of 1966 (7 U.S.C. 1691) that further amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Under these authorities, agricultural commodities are procured and exported to combat hunger and malnutrition and to encourage economic development in the developing countries. CCC encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide financing to developing countries under the Export Credit Guarantee Programs. The Foreign Agricultural Service Administers the programs under titles I and II of Public

Law 480 (7 U.S.C. 1701, 1721) and the CCC Export Credit and Guarantee Programs.

For further information, contact the Information Division, Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-447-5237. For information about Public Law 480 programs, contact the Information Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture. Phone, 202-447-3448.

Foreign Agricultural Service

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is the export promotion and service agency for the Department of Agriculture. It was created in 1953 (7 CFR 1520) to stimulate overseas markets for U.S. agricultural products.

FAS fulfills its role as the promotional agency for the world's largest agricultural export business through its network of agricultural counselors, attachés, and trade officers stationed overseas and its backup team of analysts, marketing specialists, negotiators, and related specialists.

FAS maintains a worldwide agricultural intelligence and reporting system through its attaché service. This service consists of a team of about 100 U.S. professional agriculturalists posted at approximately 60 American embassies and consulates around the world. Their areas of responsibility encompass about 110 countries. They represent the Department of Agriculture and handle all matters of trade, information needs, market development, export programs, and other agricultural endeavors.

The Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 1761) established the diplomatic title of counselor for agricultural representatives abroad. About one-half of FAS' overseas office heads are now at the counselor level.

Attaché reporting includes information and data on foreign government agricultural policies, analysis of supply and demand conditions, commercial trade relationships, and market opportunities. Attachés report not only on more than 200 farm commodities but also on weather, economic factors, and

related subjects affecting agriculture and agricultural trade.

In FAS/Washington, agricultural economists and marketing specialists analyze these and other reports. This analysis is supplemented by accumulated background information and by the Crop Condition Assessment (CCA) system, which analyzes Landsat satellite, weather, and other data.

FAS also has a continuing market development program to develop, service, and expand commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products. FAS marketing activities involve work with nonprofit commodity groups called cooperators, trade associations, State agriculture departments and their regional associations, and promotional and tradeservicing operations, such as trade fairs and sales teams.

By virtue of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, FAS received authority to open at least 6 and not more than 25 agricultural trade offices overseas to develop, maintain, and expand international markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. Fifteen of these offices have been established and are located in key markets such as West Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Venezuela. In addition to these market development activities, other trade programs required by the Food Security Act of 1985 have been implemented. These include the Export Enhancement and the Targeted Export Assistance Programs. These programs are geared to counter unfair trade practices and help U.S. farmers compete in the world market.

To improve access for U.S. farm products abroad, FAS international trade policy specialists coordinate and direct USDA's responsibilities in international trade agreement programs and negotiations. They maintain an ongoing effort to reduce foreign trade barriers and practices that discourage the export of U.S. farm products.

To follow foreign governmental actions that affect the market for U.S. agricultural commodities, FAS relies on its agricultural counselors and attachés. Special offices are maintained to work with the headquarters of the European

Community in Brussels, Belgium; the International Negotiations Center in Geneva, Switzerland; and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy.

In Washington, a staff of international trade specialists analyzes the trade policies and practices of foreign governments to ensure conduct in conformance with international treaty obligations. During international

negotiations, FAS provides the staff and support work for U.S. agricultural representation.

The Office of the General Sales Manager in FAS also manages agricultural functions under the Public Law 480 Program, titles I and III (7 U.S.C. 1701, 1727) (Food for Peace Program), section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1431), the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Export Credit Guarantee Programs, the Export Enhancement Program, and direct sales of CCC-owned surplus commodities. FAS also participates in the Public Law 480, title Il donations program administered by the Agency for International Development (AID). Public Law 480 is aimed at long-range improvement in the economies of developing countries. The commercial programs provide U.S. exporter-risk insurance for financing agricultural commodities purchased by foreign countries with market development potential.

Title I, the concessional sales section of Public Law 480, provides for lowinterest, long-term credit to recipients of U.S. farm commodities. Payment is generally made in dollars, and proceeds from sales into commercial channels are used by the recipient country for agricultural self-help measures and general economic development. A new program recently authorized by Congress under Title I provides credit funds to financial institutions in the recipient countries. The goal of this program is to promote economic development through the private sector.

Title III permits multiyear programming and forgiveness of dollar payments, provided the recipient country undertakes specific agricultural and

economic development projects for commodities delivered under title I agreements.

The title II program authorizes the donation of agricultural commodities to foreign governments, voluntary relief agencies, or intergovernmental organizations. The commodities are donated for use abroad in meeting famine or other urgent or extraordinary relief requirements, economic development, and school lunch programs in developing areas. USDA chairs the overall Food AID Subcommittee that is responsible for the U.S. Food Aid Program. More specifically, AID and USDA share responsibility for the title II program.

Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 authorizes CCC to donate its commodities overseas. Certain sales and barter of the commodities are also authorized. The program functions are shared between USDA and AID. CCC has the responsibility for determining the types and quantities of products for programming and for making funds available in any fiscal year for programming and related specific expenditures. Program proposals must be approved by the appropriate interagency groups. In addition, Section 416 also is a source of funding for multiyear Food for Progress Development Programs. These programs are focused on agricultural policy changes and private sector promotions.

The CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) and the Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM103) encourage the development or expansion of overseas markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by providing guarantees on private financing of U.S. exports to foreign buyers purchasing on credit terms.

The foreign buyer contracts for the purchase of U.S. commodities on a deferred payment basis of 3 years or less under GSM-102, or in excess of 3 and up to 10 years under GSM-103. The foreign buyer's bank issues a letter of credit to guarantee payment to the U.S. exporter or an assignee U.S. lending institution. To receive the payment guarantee, the exporter registers the sale

with CCC prior to export and pays a guarantee fee. The payment guarantee is implemented only if the foreign bank fails to pay the exporter or the assignee U.S. lending institution.

CCC will consider coverage on sales of any U.S. agricultural commodity that has the potential of expanding U.S. export markets. A U.S. exporter, private foreign buyer, or foreign government may submit requests that may result in authorized guarantee coverage.

The Export Enhancement Program is designed to allow U.S. commodities to compete against subsidized competition in target markets.

FAS is also responsible for sales of government-owned (CCC) surplus commodities to private trade, foreign government, and nonprofit organizations. Direct sales may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and on a cash or credit basis. The only criteria for financing direct sales are a 3-year maximum credit plan and the arrangement of suitable payment terms.

For further information, contact the Information Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone, 202-447-3448.

Office of International Cooperation and Development The programs of the Office of International Cooperation and Development (OICD) focus on sharing knowledge of agriculture through development assistance and cooperation with other countries.

The Office's primary activities are providing technical assistance and training in agriculture to other countries, particularly the developing world; working with international food and agricultural organizations to solve world food problems; and sponsoring scientific exchanges and research that help farmers both here at home and abroad.

In recent activities, OICD has been working closely with the Agency for International Development (AID) on the President's Caribbean Basin Initiative. OICD is responsible for USDA efforts under the program. OICD has worked

search Center, W. Beltsville, MD 20705

P.O. Box 225, Stoneville, MS 38776 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604

80526

600 E. Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118

800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710

1812 Welsh St., Suite 130, College Station, TX 77841

Cooperative State Research
Service

The Cooperative State Research Service
(CSRS) participates in a nationwide
system of research program planning and
coordination between the States and the
Department of Agriculture that
encourages and assists in the
establishment and maintenance of
cooperation within and among the States
and between the States and their Federal
research partners. The primary function
of the Service is the administration of
acts of Congress that authorize Federal
appropriations for agricultural research
carried on by the State agricultural
experiment stations of the 50 States,
Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Micronesia, the
Northern Marianas, and the District of
Columbia; approved schools of forestry;
the 1890 land-grant institutions and
Tuskegee University; colleges of
veterinary medicine; and other eligible
institutions.

Research programs administered by the CSRS include the formula-funded Hatch Act research program at the State agricultural experiment stations, the cooperative forestry research program, the 1890 land-grant colleges and Tuskegee University research program, the animal health and disease research program, and a special research grants program on specific problems in agriculture. The scientific staff reviews research proposals received from the institutions and individuals for

compliance with provisions of the act, conducts on-site reviews of research in progress, gives national leadership in planning and coordinating agricultural research, and encourages cooperation by and between the cooperating institutions. The CSRS Office of Grants and Program Systems (OGPS) administers a program of competitive extramural grants to State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions or organizations, and individuals to promote basic research, including biotechnology in food, agriculture, and related areas. OGPS

administers the Department's competitive

grants programs for small business

innovative research and programs in
aquaculture, domestic rubber, and other
alternative crops, higher education, low-
input agriculture and small farms.
Extramural research grants funded
through CSRS are administered by OGPS.
OGPS also provides support and
assistance for the Joint Council on Food
and Agricultural Sciences and the
National Agricultural Research and
Extension Users Advisory Board.

For further information, contact the Office of the
Administrator, Cooperative State Research
Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington,
DC 20251-2200. Phone, 202-447-4423.

Extension Service

The Extension Service (ES) is the educational agency of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal partner in the Cooperative Extension System. As a nationwide educational network, the Cooperative Extension System links research, science, and technology to the needs of people where they live and work.

The Cooperative Extension System is comprised of ES, USDA as the Federal partner; the 1862 land-grant universities in 50 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, and the District of Columbia, plus 16 1890 land-grant universities and Tuskegee University as the State partner; and more than 3,150 county offices representing local governments as the other partner. All three partners share in financing, planning, and conducting ES's educational programs.

This nationwide network and resource of professional staff and community volunteers is a unique and integrated partnership involving Federal/State/ county governments, research, agribusiness, and the private sector. Key functions include:

-providing nationwide leadership in adapting and transferring science and technology;

-anticipating and responding educationally to critical national issues affecting the food and agricultural system;