merits of merging cooperatives, changing business structure, and developing strategies for growth. Applied research is conducted to give farmers relevant and expert assistance pertaining to their cooperatives. Studies concentrate on financial, organizational, legal, social, and economic aspects of cooperative activity in U.S. agriculture. FCS also collects and publishes basic statistics regarding the role and scope of cooperative activity in U.S. agriculture. Its monthly magazine, Farmer Cooperatives, reports current developments and research for cooperative management. FCS efforts center on providing rapid response and leadership to help build more effective cooperative operations in the changing economic environment in which the family farmer operates. The Service is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has no field offices. For further information, contact the Information Division, Farmer Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Phone, 202-447-2739. and paid; parity prices, farm employment, and farm wage rates. SRS prepares these estimates through a complex system of sample surveys with producers, processors, buyers, and others associated with agriculture. Work is conducted by mail, telephone, personal interview, and field visits to secure indications for these estimates. The 44 State-Federal offices serving all States, and the national office, prepare monthly, annual, and other periodic reports for distribution to the news media and the general public. Data on about 150 crop and livestock products appear in some 500 reports issued each year. Cooperative agreements with State agencies also permit preparation and publication of estimates of individual crops and livestock by counties in most States. The Service reviews USDA plans and questionnaires related to the collection of statistical data for use in research, service, regulatory, and other Department programs. This procedure assures acceptable standards and eliminates duplication of effort. SRS assists other USDA agencies with statistical methods and tech niques and provides consultation and support for U.S. technicians overseas. SRS provides liaison for the Department with the Office of Management and Budget and Federal agencies on matters pertaining to the plans, coordination, development, and maintenance of standards for Federal statistical programs. For further information, contact the Information Staff, Statistical Reporting Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Phone, 202-447-5455. Sources of Information CONSUMER ACTIVITIES Educational, organizational, and financial assistance is offered to consumers and their families in such fields as rural housing and farm operating programs, improved nutrition, family living and recreation, food stamp, school lunch. programs, and other food programs. ENVIRONMENT Educational, organizational, technical, and financial assistance is offered to local citizens, their organizations and communities in such fields as watershed protection, flood prevention, soil and water conservation practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation, community water and waste disposal systems, safe use of pesticides, and the development of pesticide alternatives. Contact the nearest county Extension agent or USDA office, or write to the Office of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, for information on consumer activities and environment, as described above. READING ROOMS Color filmstrips and slide sets on a variety of subjects are available for purchase. For titles, prices, and sources of supply, request AF-1107 from the Photography Division, Office of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. EMPLOYMENT competitive service and are filled by Most jobs in the Department are in the applicants who have established eligibility on examinations, such as Careers in the Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Federal Jobs in Engineering, Physical Sciences and Related Professions, Careers as an Agricultural Commodity Grader, Inspector-Meat and Poultry, Revenue Agent, Veterinary Medical Officer, etc. General employment inquiries and Located at each agency, address indi- inquiries on participation in the col cated in text. PUBLICATIONS Popular publications for farmers, suburbanites, homemakers, and consumers on a variety of subjects are available. Request free copy of List 5 of current available publications and prices. Write to the Office of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. SPEAKERS Contact nearest Department of Agriculture office or county Extension agent or in the District of Columbia, contact the D.C. Extension Service offices or the Director of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. FILMS Motion pictures on a variety of agricultural subjects are available for loan through various State Extension Service film libraries. Contact the Motion Picture Division, Office of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, for a listing of cooperating film libraries. lege recruitment program may be sent to the Employment and Program Coordination Staff, Office of Personnel, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Persons interested in employment with the Agricultural Research Service may address inquiries to the Personnel Division, Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Federal Center Building 1, Hyattsville, Md. 20782, or the Personnel Branch in each of the Regional Offices listed on page 130. Persons interested in employment in the Food and Nutrition Service should contact the Regional Offices located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and Princeton, N.J., or the national headquarters in Washington, D.C. In addition, all Forest Service field. units, listed on page 134, will accept employment applications. CONTRACTS AND SMALL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES Contact the Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. INVESTIGATIONS Persons wishing to register complaints of alleged improprieties concerning the Department should contact one of the Regional Offices or the Office of Investigation, Department of Agricul Related Organization ture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Phone, 202-447-3306. For further information, contact the Office of Communication, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Phone, 202-4472791. Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture Fourteenth Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, D.C. 20250 Phone, 202-447-4419 Director Deputy Director___ Assistant Director and Head, Special Programs__ Career Planning and Development Programs, Head_. Information, Independent Study Programs, Head_ The Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a nonprofit school for adults. It is self-supporting and does not receive direct appropriated funds from Congress or the Department of Agriculture. Fees charged individuals and Government agencies. are nominal. Courses are planned with the help of Government professionals and specialists. The faculty is mostly part-time and is drawn from throughout Government and the community at large. They are selected because of their professional and specialized knowledge and experience and thus bring a practicality and currency to their classrooms. Faculty members are paid an honorarium and take annual leave or leave without pay when they teach during normal working hours. The school does not grant degrees but does provide planned sequences of courses leading to certificates of accomplishment in a number of occupational fields important to Government. It offers occasional free public lectures on current affairs of special interest to Government employees and supports a JOHN B. HOLDEN. EDMUND N. FULKER. KENNETH R. DICKERSON. LYNN M. EDWARDS. JOEL COSBY. VERA E. JENSEN. ARTHUR F. BYRNES. press which publishes some of those lectures, films, video tapes, and other manuscripts. The Graduate School's objective is to help improve Government services by providing needed continuing education and training opportunities for Government employees and agencies. The Graduate School, administered by a Director and governed by a General Administration Board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, was established by the Secretary of Agriculture on September 2, 1921, pursuant to the act of May 15, 1862 (R.S. 520; 7 U.S.C. 2201), the Joint Resolution of April 12, 1892 (27 Stat. 395), and the Deficiency Appropriation Act of March 3, 1901 (31 Stat. 1039; 20 U.S.C. 91). For further information, contact the Information Office, Graduate School, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Phone, 202-447-4419. Approved. JOHN B. HOLDEN, Director. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Fourteenth Street Between Constitution Avenue and E Street NW., The Department of Commerce encourages, serves, and promotes the Nation's economic development and technological advancement. Within this framework and together with a policy of promoting the national interest through the encouragement of the competitive, free enterprise system, the Department provides a wide variety of programs. It offers assistance and information to domestic and international business; provides social and economic statistics and analyses for business and government planners; assists in the development and maintenance of the U.S. merchant marine; provides research for and promotes the increased use of science and technology in the development of the economy; provides assistance to speed the development of the economically underdeveloped areas of the Nation; seeks to improve understanding of the Earth's physical environment and oceanic life; promotes travel to the United States by residents of foreign countries; assists in the growth of minority businesses; and seeks to prevent the loss of life and property from fire. |