House Committee on Agriculture: Press Release: Subcommittee Reviews USDA’s Information Technology Systems

Subcommittee Reviews USDA’s Information Technology Systems

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joe Baca, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Forestry, held a hearing on the status of information technology systems at the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Subcommittee heard testimony from the USDA’s Chief Information Officer and from the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Administrator, as well as from agriculture organizations interested in improving USDA’s IT systems.

“Efficient and cost-effective information technology programs at USDA are critical to the successful delivery of literally thousands of nutrition and farm programs,” said Subcommittee Chairman Joe Baca. “Today’s hearing provided an excellent opportunity to understand the scope of technological problems at the Department, and collaborate on the important steps that must be taken to resolve them. We must work to improve technologies at USDA. The American people deserve a system that promotes better constituent services, prevents program fraud, and serves as a good steward of taxpayer dollars.”

“Technology continues to advance at a dizzying rate. To serve farmers and agricultural producers more efficiently, USDA must integrate technological advancements into its existing infrastructure,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry. “Congress has provided support for these efforts, and it is important we ensure that necessary reforms provide a reliable, secure system so that all stakeholders can have confidence in the delivery of our farm bill programs in a timely manner.”

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.

Panel I

Mr. Chris Smith Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C.

Mr. Jonathan Coppess, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, Washington D.C.

Panel II

Mr. Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union (NFU), Washington D.C.

Mr. Mike Mayfield, National Association of Farm Service Agency Office Employees (NASCOE), Pulaski, Tennessee

Mr. Craig Turner, President, National Association of Farmer-Elected Committees (NAFEC), Matador, Texas

Mr. Will Craig, President, National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mr. Jim Krosch, Supervisor, Stevens Soil and Water Conservation District, Morris, Minnesota for NACD

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	Subcommittee Reviews USDA’s Information Technology Systems

	WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Joe Baca, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Forestry, held a hearing on the status of information technology systems at the United States Department of Agriculture. The Subcommittee heard testimony from the USDA’s Chief Information Officer and from the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Administrator, as well as from agriculture organizations interested in improving USDA’s IT systems. “Efficient and cost-effective information technology programs at USDA are critical to the successful delivery of literally thousands of nutrition and farm programs,” said Subcommittee Chairman Joe Baca. “Today’s hearing provided an excellent opportunity to understand the scope of technological problems at the Department, and collaborate on the important steps that must be taken to resolve them. We must work to improve technologies at USDA. The American people deserve a system that promotes better constituent services, prevents program fraud, and serves as a good steward of taxpayer dollars.” “Technology continues to advance at a dizzying rate. To serve farmers and agricultural producers more efficiently, USDA must integrate technological advancements into its existing infrastructure,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry. “Congress has provided support for these efforts, and it is important we ensure that necessary reforms provide a reliable, secure system so that all stakeholders can have confidence in the delivery of our farm bill programs in a timely manner.” Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date. Panel I Mr. Chris Smith Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C. Mr. Jonathan Coppess, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, Washington D.C. Panel II Mr. Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union (NFU), Washington D.C. Mr. Mike Mayfield, National Association of Farm Service Agency Office Employees (NASCOE), Pulaski, Tennessee Mr. Craig Turner, President, National Association of Farmer-Elected Committees (NAFEC), Matador, Texas Mr. Will Craig, President, National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), Minneapolis, Minnesota Mr. Jim Krosch, Supervisor, Stevens Soil and Water Conservation District, Morris, Minnesota for NACD

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