Life-changing companions: How to afford a service dog
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The Farm Service Agency helps farmers and rural citizens. Bankrate explains how.
Established in 1994, the Farm Service Agency is a federal agency responsible for providing loan guarantees and disaster relief to farmers and rural citizens, as well as implementing laws and farm conservation throughout the United States. It is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA went through a reorganization in 1994, which led to the creation of the Farm Service Agency. It was part of an effort to consolidate government departments such as the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Federal Crop Insurance Corp., and the Farmers Home Administration. Eventually, more departments became part of the Farm Service Agency, including the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Agricultural Adjustment Administration, War Food Administration, Production and Marketing Administration, and Commodity Stabilization Service. Congress controls what the Farm Service Agency does by passing a new law or extending a current farm bill during legislative sessions.
The Farm Service Agency has field service centers located throughout the country, particularly in rural areas where farming is more prevalent. That includes 51 state offices and 2,124 county offices. Each state has its own appointed executive director, and each year, an additional 2,500 county administrators are elected by their peers.
There are many ways that the Farm Service Agency can benefit farmers, no matter the size of their operations. These include:
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