The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviewed the agency's control over the distribution of $173 million in Recovery Act funds for direct
farm-operating loans. USDA's Farm Services Agency makes these loans directly to farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from banks or other financial institutions. The OIG evaluated the process for determining borrower eligibility and the requirements for how the loans are used, and recommended that the agency strengthen both.