Agricultural Marketing Service
About the agency
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is a component of USDA responsible for administering programs related to commodities (cotton, tobacco, dairy, fruits, vegetables, livestock, seed, and poultry). The Agricultural Marketing Service's primary tasks are to administer research and promotion programs for these commodities and purchase these commodities for federal food programs. Notably, AMS administers the commodity checkoff program which collects funds through a checkoff mechanism from producers of a specific commodity and uses these funds to promote that particular commodity. It's this checkoff program that generated slogans such as "Got Milk?" and "Beef: It's What's For Dinner."
Records available
In 2015, it was revealed through extensive FOIA requests by Ryan Shapiro that the American Egg Board, a component of AMS, used its resources to illegally target a plant-based food company called Hampton Creek that was manufacturing eggless products. This led to reprimand of the Egg Board. The checkoff program is only supposed to promote its own commodities rather than actively disparage competitors, so Shapiro's FOIA requests were well-designed to hold this component of AMS accountable when it was running afoul of its mandate.
AMS holds records pertaining to all of its commodity programs, as well as records from its legislative office, National Organic Program, and more.
Requester suggestions, tips and guidance
FOIA requests may be sent by email to AMS.FOIA@USDA.gov.
Appeals suggestions, tips and guidance
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