FSA Subsidy Data
| Tracking # |
2025-FSA-04108-F |
| Submitted | Jan. 16, 2025 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Jimmy Tobias
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
I request FSA's 2024 payment files concerning “payments made to agricultural program participants.” For your reference, you can find past years of the data I am requesting on your agency’s website here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/freedom-information-act-foia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested/payment-files.
I am requesting this data be shared as Excel or CSV files if possible.
I am also requesting user guide, user manual, or data dictionary relevant to the requested databases.
I am a reporter for High Country News and other outlets.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Tobias
From: USDA Farm Services Agency
Dear Jimmy Tobias,
Thank you for contacting the USDA FOIA Service Center with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Your FOIA request was received by the USDA FOIA Service Center and will be assigned for processing. Please refer to FOIA tracking number 2025-FSA-04108-F in all communications regarding this request.
Regards,
USDA FOIA Service Center
From: USDA Farm Services Agency
Mr. Tobias,
This letter acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (copy attached) dated January 16, 2025, to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC). Your request was received in this office January 17, 2025 and assigned control number 2025-FSA-04108-F. Please use this control number for all future communications regarding this request.
You requested the following: FSA's 2024 payment files concerning payments made to agricultural program participants. I am requesting this data be shared as Excel or CSV files if possible. I am also requesting user guide, user manual, or data dictionary relevant to the requested databases.
Your request is being handled under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552 (http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/amended-foia-redlined.pdf).
We process requests on a first-in, first-out basis. The actual processing time will depend upon the complexity of the request and whether or not it involves sensitive or voluminous records, or extensive searches and/or consultations. We also process requests on a multi-track basis. This means that simple requests, requiring minimal effort to respond, are processed in one track, and more voluminous and complex requests are processed in another track. We have placed your request in the Simple track.
Request 2025-FSA-04108-F is perfected and has been moved from pending into the Simple processing track. This request has been placed in the "News Media" request category and all fees will be waived.
The estimated date upon which we expect to provide you the requested records is on or before: 2/18/2025
We can also be reached at the group e-mail address SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov<mailto:SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov>. If you have any questions regarding the processing of this request, please contact Government Information (GI) Specialist Hani Nguyen at 763-388-0490. If GI Specialist Hani Nguyen is not available, please contact GI Specialist Christina Vander Linden at 816-823-2669 or GI Specialist Carol Nagel at 701-530-2107. We can also be reached at the group e-mail address SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov<mailto:SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov>.
I appreciate the opportunity to assist you in this matter.
Sincerely,
Patrick McLoughlin
Patrick McLoughlin
FOIA Officer
Farm Production and Conservation
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
From: USDA Farm Services Agency
Mr. Tobias,
This letter responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (copy attached) dated January 16, 2025, and assigned control number 2025-FSA-04108-F.
In response to your request for 2024 payment files concerning payments made to agricultural program participants, detailed records for Farm Payments, including records you are requesting, are currently available in the public domain and accessible through FSA's public website. We are providing the link for you here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/freedom-information-act-foia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested/payment-files.
With respect to the portion of your request for user guide, user manual, or data dictionary, a thorough search was conducted for the records you seek, however no responsive records were found.
If you believe that there are, in fact, records responsive to your request in files maintained by Farm Service Agency (FSA), you may appeal to the FSA Administrator. The Appeals and Litigation Division must receive your written appeal within ninety (90) calendar days of the date of this letter. Please include in the appeal a brief explanation of why you believe this decision is in error. Be sure to include a copy of your initial request letter in your appeal package. You may submit your appeal electronically to FSAFOIAappeal@wdc.usda.gov<mailto:FSAFOIAappeal@wdc.usda.gov> or by mail. If mailing the appeal, clearly mark both your letter and its envelope with the words "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." Mail your appeal package to the following address:
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION BUSINESS CENTER
ATTENTION: APPEALS AND LITIGATION DIVISION
1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE SW. ROOM 3243-S
MAIL STOP - 0570
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-0570
TELEPHONE: (202) 690-3297
EMAIL: fsafoiaappeal@usda.gov<mailto:fsafoiaappeal@usda.gov>
You may seek dispute resolution services from the FOIA liaison. Contact information for the FOIA liaison is:
FPAC - BC PUBLIC AFFAIRS LIAISON
EMAIL: SM.FP.FOIA@USDA.GOV<mailto:SM.FP.FOIA@USDA.GOV>
You may contact the Office of Government Information Services at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. Contact
information for the Office of Government Services is:
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
8601 ADELPHI ROAD-OGIS
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND 20740-6001
PHONE: (202) 741-5770
TOLL FREE: (877) 684-6448
FAX: (202) 741-5769
EMAIL: ogis@nara.gov<mailto:ogis@nara.gov>
Contacting the FOIA liaison or the Office of Government Information Services does not affect your right to administratively appeal to FSA Administrator.
Request 2025-FSA-04108-F is officially closed.
If you have any questions regarding the processing of this request, please contact Government Information (GI) Specialist Hani Nguyen at 763-388-0490. If GI Specialist Hani Nguyen is not available, please contact GI Specialist Christina Vander Linden at 816-823-2669 or GI Specialist Carol Nagel at 701-530-2107. We can also be reached at the group e-mail address SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov<mailto:SM.FP.FOIA@usda.gov>.
Sincerely,
Patrick McLoughlin
Patrick McLoughlin
FOIA Officer
Farm Production and Conservation
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
