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Constituent Affairs
The Office of Constituent Affairs (OCA) serves as a conduit for information about USDA's seven mission areas to the general public, the media, agricultural and industry constituent groups and USDA employees.
To raise awareness and acceptance of USDA's programs and policies, OCA maintains a comprehensive database of national and State groups, industry, and key foreign embassies. Through this network, OCA distributes transcripts of speeches, news releases and statements from the Secretary, as well as information about Federal rule making; the Department can contact State Directors of Homeland Security and State Veterinarians in the event of an emergency; and individual USDA agencies can disseminate information or announcements.
On the public liaison side, OCA staff works to provide farm, trade, consumer associations, natural resources and environmental groups with opportunities to hear from key USDA officials in Washington D.C. and across the country. The information staff responds to mail, e-mail and telephone inquiries for information and documents from the public and Congress.
OCA acts as a liaison to keep USDA agencies apprised of issues and concerns voiced by stakeholder groups. To accomplish this, OCA:
Provides feedback from briefings to the appropriate subcabinet offices and personnel;
Provides periodic feedback describing interest group opinion as articulated in their publications to give USDA officials a constituent perspective; and
Publishes USDA's employee newsletter.
Contact:
Kathryn Hill
Constituent Affairs
Office of Communications
U.S. Department of Agriculture
415A Whitten Building
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
Mocile Trotter
Constituent Affairs
Office of Communications
U.S. Department of Agriculture
418A Whitten Building
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
