For decades, there have been allegations of discrimination in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and workforce. Reports and congressional testimony by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a former Secretary of Agriculture, USDA's Office of Inspector General, GAO, and others have described weaknesses in USDA's programs-in particular, in resolving complaints of discrimination and in providing minorities access to programs. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 authorized the creation of the position of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR), giving USDA an executive that could provide leadership for resolving these long-standing problems. This testimony focuses on USDA's efforts to (1) resolve discrimination complaints, (2) report on minority participation in USDA programs, and (3) strategically plan its efforts. This testimony is based on new and prior work, including analysis of ASCR's strategic plan; discrimination complaint management; and about 120 interviews with officials of USDA and other federal agencies, as well as 20 USDA stakeholder groups. USDA officials reviewed the facts upon which this statement is based, and we incorporated their additions and clarifications as appropriate. GAO plans a future report with recommendations.

For decades, there have been allegations of discrimination in the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) programs and workforce. Reports and congressional testimony have described weaknesses in USDA's programs -- in particular, in resolving complaints of discrimination and in providing minorities access to programs. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 authorized the creation of the position of Assist. Sec. for Civil Rights, giving USDA an executive that could provide leadership for resolving these long-standing problems. This testimony focuses on USDA's efforts to: (1) resolve discrimination complaints; (2) report on minority participation in USDA programs; and (3) strategically plan its efforts. Illustrations.

GAO, like other fed. agencies, faces challenges in increasing diversity in its workforce, including top leadership. Because of congressional interest in the effectiveness of diversity offices and the under-representation of women and minorities in legislative branch agencies, Congress asked the GAO¿s Inspector General to: (1) determine whether GAO¿s diversity efforts are achieving better representation of women and minorities in top leadership; (2) evaluate the accuracy and completeness of GAO¿s FY 2007 complaint and discrimination data; and (3) assess the independence and reporting relationships of the head of GAO¿s Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems. Defining ¿local¿ based on marketing arrangements, such as farmers selling directly to consumers at regional farmers¿ markets or to schools, is well recognized. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U.S. agricultural production. For smaller farms, direct marketing to consumers accounts for a higher percentage of their sales than for larger farms. Charts and tables.