05 Sep 2012

US Route 6 Classic Car Tour 2012

By David Darby
Davenport, Iowa - September 2012 - Classic car and hot rod owners, get your motor running and head out on the highway.

Highway 6, that is. Over the weekend of September 7th - 9th, the Iowa division of the US Route 6 Tourist Association is teaming up with Fourth Wall Films to sponsor a classic car ride across Iowa along old Route 6. The trip will be included in a shoot for an upcoming documentary film about the scenic and historic attractions along US Route 6 in Iowa.

The ride begins from the east in Davenport, Iowa, with drivers meeting at 10 AM on Friday the 7th at the corner of 2nd and Iowa streets in Davenport. Drivers are invited to join for all or part of the cruise as they travel west along Route 6, stopping at various localities. Lodging, with special Route 6 tour rates to be announced.

Those wishing to join for the western half of the cruise can either meet Friday night at the drive in, or Saturday morning for breakfast at the Mid Town (Old Maytag) Cafe in Newton, Iowa from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, with cars leaving the square at 9:30 AM.

The itinerary is still being developed but will include stops at:

Friday:
  • Choice of The Wilton Candy Kitchen, world's oldest ice cream soda fountain - Wilton or brunch at the delicious Hill of Beans Bistro in Durant.
  • Happy Hour at the Ladora Bank Bistro - Ladora.
  • Dinner at the Carnforth Inn - Victor
  • Valle Drive-In, Iowa's oldest drive-in movie theater - Newton. (Drivers from the western half are welcome to join us for the movie as well.)

Saturday:
  • Breakfast at the Mid Town Café - Newton
  • Tony's Classic Cars, T-Bird restoration HQ - Des Moines.
  • Bonnie & Clyde historical site, and Drew's Chocolates - Dexter.
  • Bonnie & Clyde bank robbery site - Stuart
  • Lunch at the Menlo Café - Menlo
  • Jesse James Train robbery site - Adair
  • Dinner at the Wiota Steakhouse - Wiota

Sunday
  • Breakfast at the Weather Vane Café - Anita
  • Lunch at George's Chili King - Des Moines

Fourth Wall Films is also interested in classic cars willing to be "camera cars" to help set up film shots along the way. Drivers interested in the trip or film may contact Iowa Route 6 Executive director Dave Darby at (563) 499-8211, or through email at dwdarby@aol.com.

Additional Information about the Movie and the Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association

Tentatively called "River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6," the Route 6 film's mission is to educate the public about the history and original route of Highway 6, and to increase awareness, traffic, and commerce in the towns along its path.

"We want to encourage people to leave the interstate and head out on the old two lane highway, to leave the rat race of today's world and to stop and smell the roses," says Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association Executive Director David Darby. "Not only is it more enjoyable, but it benefits the local economy."

Darby, as director of the non-profit organization, is working to encourage state and local government to place historical signage designating Route 6 roads; preserve historical buildings, bridges, and alignments along Route 6; and to encourage co-operation of communities along the highway to hold festivals, concerts, car shows, and more to boost tourism and traffic to local businesses. Recently, Historic Route 6 markers were placed on the 29 mile stretch between Davenport and Wilton Iowa.

A firm believer in buying local, Darby says "When you go to a chain restaurant, the experience is soon forgotten. But when you go to a mom and pop establishment, you can make friends, capture some history, and take with you memories that last a lifetime while the money stays within the community."

Fourth Wall Films, out of Moline, IL, is owned by award-winning documentary filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle. Having  eceived acclaim for their previous films, including "Villisca: Living with a Mystery," "Lost Nation: the Ioway," and "Country School: One Room, One Nation," "River To River Road" is slated to be released in late 2013.

The movie is the first step however; once the film is complete, Darby plans on publishing a book he's authored called "From River to River: Your Guide to the Original Highway 6" to further encourage drivers to use Route 6 over the interstate for their travels.

"In such an impersonal world, it is a joy to take off on an adventure along the heartland of America, and breathe in exactly what America was built on," Darby says. "Instead of a flat, straight pair of lanes interrupted by only green signs and overpasses, the  rolling fields and curving roads undulate under your wheels in between the small towns that are filled with friendly people."

David W. Darby,
Executive Director
Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association
dwdarby@aol.com
2004 Belle Ave.
Davenport, Iowa 52803
Phone:(563) 499-8211
05 Sep 2012

T-Shirts with a Purpose Raises Awareness of Human Trafficking

By Ginny Grimsley
You Don't Have to Be Powerful
in Order to Have an Impact, Expert Says

Slavery not only still exists - it's a thriving big business throughout the world, says Lucia Mann, author of "Rented Silence" (www.luciamann.com), which explores slavery and institutional brutality.

She lists the following facts that have global citizens concerned:

• There are more human slaves in the world today than ever before in history, roughly 27 million people.

• Children make up nearly half; each year, 2 million children are forced into prostitution.

• Approximately 75 to 80 percent of human trafficking is for sex.

• Sex trafficking plays a major role in the spread of HIV, researchers say.

• Human trafficking not only involves sex and labor, people are also trafficked for organ harvesting.

• A human trafficker can earn 20 times the amount paid for a girl - at least $250,000.

"As terrible as the transatlantic slave trade was throughout four centuries, there is now more than twice the amount of slaves today being trafficked than those who were shipped to America," says Mann, whose Sicilian mother was a sex slave in South Africa and a World War II concentration camp survivor. As a child, Mann was abducted from her mother by her biological father -- her mother's master.

Young people are joining the effort to fight the tidal wave of human trafficking, including Emily Fulker, a freshman at Shippensburg University. She became inspired to act after learning about the Underground Railroad in the 1800s, as well as today's slavery, in school and in her church.

Fulker and her friends decided to find a way to contribute to International Justice Mission, an organization that rescues victims of human trafficking, by selling stylish T-shirts featuring facts about today's slavery problem. Find the shirts by typing "Buy Shirts to Free Modern-Day Slaves" into a search engine online.

Mann offers additional suggestions:

• Scholarship credits: Overachieving high school students frequently participate in charitable events and organizations to earn credits for scholarships. Students can speak with their guidance counselor to see if they can get credit for a car wash, bake sale or other event to earn money for organizations that help today's slaves.

• Host city watches: Any city hosting major events, such as a political or business convention or the Super Bowl, among others, is at higher risk to experience prostitution and human trafficking abuses. The Catholic Sisters congregations have recently taken measures to fight slavery-based prostitution in American cities; Mann says other charity groups should consider doing the same.

• Tax-deductible events: Successful businesses frequently contribute to charity for at least three reasons - to help those in need; donations can be written off  come tax season; and it is great PR in any given community. Though there are many worthy charities, more businesses might consider tackling this relatively new and growing problem, Mann says.

About Lucia Mann

Lucia Mann was born in British colonial South Africa in the wake of World War II and lives in West Covina, Calif., and British Columbia, Canada. She retired from freelance journalism in 1998 and is the founder of the Modern-Day Slavery Reporting Centre, www.mdsrc.org, the first hotline for victims and concerned citizens. To report suspected trafficking, visit the site or call (800) 610-7035, ext. 227.

05 Sep 2012

Grassley, Issa, Gowdy Continue Review of Minnesota's Use of Federal Tax Dollars for State-only Health Programs

By Rick Martin

WASHINGTON -- Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee continued their examination of Minnesota's inappropriate and possibly illegal misuse of federal tax dollars to cross-subsidize its state-only health programs.

The issue has been under the close inspection of Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-SC.

A state legislative audit report found that Minnesota was underpaying managed care companies in the state for state-only health programs and overpaying insurance companies for Medicaid.  Since federal taxpayers pay half of Minnesota's Medicaid expenditures, federal taxpayers were inappropriately cross-subsidizing managed care companies in Minnesota for state-only health plans.

In March 2011, UCare, the smallest of Minnesota's four managed care companies operating in the state, returned $30 million to the state.  UCare's CEO attributed this contribution to excess 2010 operating margins, which largely resulted from Medicaid overpayments.

It appears that the Minnesota Department of Human Services attempted to disguise this repayment as a "donation" in order to keep all of it in state coffers, as opposed to returning the appropriate amount to the federal taxpayer. Minnesota finally agreed to return the federal share to the U.S. Treasury the day before a April 2012 House Oversight Committee hearing.

However, because of conflicting statements at the hearing from Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson and other contradictory information, questions remain about whether or not the state agency was attempting to defraud the federal taxpayer.

"The State's agreement with UCare to count UCare's $30 million repayment toward the 2011 profit cap raises serious questions regarding your insistence that half of UCare's $30 million "donation" was not subject to federal recoupment," write Grassley, Issa, and Gowdy.

The letter directs Commissioner Jesson to clarify contradictory testimony, given under oath, before the House Oversight Committee; clarify the timeline and decision-making process on the remission to the U.S. Treasury; and to produce documents inappropriately withheld from earlier requests.

The text of the letter is available here. The House Oversight Committee held a hearing in April, and issued a staff report.

 

###

05 Sep 2012

Secretary of State Announces He Will Not Release Names of Possible Foreign Nationals Who Have Registered to Vote

By Roland Caldwell
Scott County Auditor Will Preserve Documents Requested by Iowa DCI

Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz has received notice from Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz that he will not release the names of possible foreign nationals who may have registered to vote in Scott County. Previously, Schultz had told Moritz that she would receive this list within the legal time frame for adjusting voter registration records. By law, voter registrations cannot be cancelled without the consent of the voter seventy days before an election. That deadline passed on August 28th.

"I had hoped to receive this list prior to the deadline," Moritz said. "Had he provided this list we could have begun our own investigation and possibly wrapped up this problem before the deadline. Now we have to make contingency plans on how to protect the integrity of our elections."

Schultz claims to have identified up to 3,582 possible foreign nationals who have registered to vote in Iowa since 2008. He made this discovery by comparing Iowa Department of Transportation files of foreign nationals who have Iowa drivers' licenses with the I-VOTERS database of registered Iowa voters. Schultz made this discovery in March of this year.

Schultz's announcement came in a letter addressed to Iowa County Auditors. In that letter Schultz states, "(I)t would not be appropriate for me to release any names until we have obtained access to the SAVE database and verified the names through that established procedure." "(W)e are still working with the federal government on the terms of our agreement for using SAVE," Schultz stated.

SAVE stands for Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, an electronic database maintained by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, which is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Schultz plans to use the database to eliminate foreign nationals who have obtained citizenship status and therefore have the right to vote.

Moritz and other county auditors first learned of this issue on August 8, 2012 when DCI Agent Dan Dawson was introduced during a statewide meeting of county auditors and election staff. Dawson has been assigned to the Secretary's Office to assist in investigating voter fraud. He informed auditors of the discovery, and estimated that there could be up to 180 possible cases in Scott County. He asked county auditors for their assistance in aiding his investigation. On August 28, 2012 Moritz received a letter from the DCI requesting assistance in securing voting documents for all voters from the 2010 general election. Generally such documents are destroyed 22 months after the election.

"We have the requested documents in a locked facility and under camera," said Moritz. "As soon as we learned of this potential problem we made sure to have these documents in a secure place. Of course we would like to launch our own investigation even if the Secretary's Office did not act, and I received approval from our Board of Supervisors to hire a former election deputy on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, without access to these names we cannot act."
05 Sep 2012

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services - Rock Island Campus - ALL staff now hold CDA Credential!

By Rick Martin
Skip-a-Long Child Development Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible care to all children, staff at the center regularly participate in training opportunities and continuing education. Today the staff at this center have reached a milestone!

EVERY staff member at the Rock Island Skip-a-Long Campus now holds a CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential! This means all staff who nurture and teach our children at this site are Teacher Qualified.

According to The Council for Professional Recognition, "The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. The Council works to ensure that the nationally-transferable CDA is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of professional development."

We are very grateful and thankful for our dedicated staff who work to ensure excellence and quality in our child care center. Please celebrate this achievement with us, because it means that when you put your trust in Skip-a-Long to care for your child you can be assured that he or she is receiving the best care available from an organization whose mission is to provide "high-quality accessible child development services where learning is fun!"
05 Sep 2012

Christian Care Announces Award

By Ann Ring
The Rock Island Community Foundation Supports Children's Program

Rock Island, IL - The Rock Island Community Foundation has awarded a $1,000 grant to provide financial support to Christian Care's Children's Advocacy Program. "Christian Care greatly appreciates the Rock Island Community Foundation for its continued support of our services," said Dr. Elaine Winter, the organization's executive director. "Our Children's Advocacy Program addresses the emotional and psychosocial needs of children?our silent victims?who are in need of therapeutic services. This grant from the Rock Island Community Foundation allows us to deliver life-changing mental and emotional recovery support for both residential and non-residential children. For this we are very grateful."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses.

For all those who need a meal, Christian Care's Community Meal Site is located at its Rescue Mission at 2209 3rd Avenue, Rock Island. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you know of someone in need, call the Christian Care Crisis Hotline at any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.
05 Sep 2012

Morthland Receives Non-life Threatening Injuries in Early Morning Accident

By Rep. Rich Morthland

Moline, IL...  State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) was involved in an accident early this morning while working on his farm in Cordova. He will undergo knee surgery this afternoon and stay in the hospital overnight. Morthland is expected to have a full recovery.

The office will remain open as he recovers and will continue to pass along information as it becomes available. Please call (309)762-3008 with any questions or concerns.

#####

05 Sep 2012

PEARL VIEW CONDOS LINE OF SIGHT IS GOING GREEN

By Courtney Boothe

Refurbished Condos Will Feature Huge Green Space On Roof

 

Muscatine, IA (September 2012) - Installation of green roof on the The Pearl View Condos of Muscatine, Iowa is happening now through the end of the day on Friday.  The condos, located in the newly refurbished Hotel Muscatine, will feature over 2,000 square feet of green roof. The roof will be covered with the LiveRoof® 6" Deep System. It will feature two custom sedum base mixes with over 30 unique varieties.  Walkways and a patio will create an enjoyable space for both entertaining and enjoying the exquisite views of the Mississippi River. Four custom grass and wildflower mixes are being used, totaling 26 different perennial accent varieties.

 

Besides being beautiful, the green roof's vegetation soaks up rainfall and reduces storm water runoff.  The green roof helps reduce rooftop temperatures during summer, thereby protecting and extending the life of the roof membrane.  Green roofs are estimated to double the life of roofing materials and they work as insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs.  In addition to using plants that are well-established in soil specially engineered for the extremes of a rooftop environment, the LiveRoof® System also features a patent-pending hybrid design combining the best features of all green roof systems. The LiveRoof® System reduces labor costs to maintain compared to most systems, since the established plants thrive as their own living mulch.

 

About Roof Top Sedums: Roof Top Sedums was established in 2007 and is a Regional LiveRoof® Licensed Grower servicing Iowa, Western Illinois, Eastern Nebraska, Eastern Kansas, and most of Missouri.  The business is 100% women-owned and certified nationally as a Women's Business Enterprise.  Co-founder Roxanne Nagel explains, "Green roofs have become widely accepted as an integral part of sustainable renovations. We are equally excited about the future of LiveWall® and our role to provide an exceptional product in our region."  For more information on projects previously grown by Roof Top Sedums or information about the LiveRoof® System, visit www.rooftopsedums.com.

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05 Sep 2012

What's Your 'Lie-Q'?

By Rick Martin
Take the Test to See if 'Self Lies' are Holding You Back

Prophets and philosophers throughout history have spoken of the potential calamities embedded within lies.

"Relationships are ruined every day because of lies," says former IBM executive Cathy Holloway Hill, a life improvement consultant and author of "Lies, Love & Life," (www.chollowayhill.com). "Think about the collapse of our economy starting in 2008 - it didn't happen because bankers and other key players were honest and acted with integrity. It happened because of lies. But the most damaging lies are the ones we tell ourselves."

"Self lies" cause us to perpetuate a cycle of failure, she says, and the first step in reversing the pattern is recognizing them.

Hill has developed three questions - a Lie-Q test - for people who can't seem to find success, whether it's in romance, weight loss, finances or just general contentment.

• Have you ever told yourself, "I'm too old for that"? That's just one of the many common self lies. Others include, "I will never find true love;" "I'll never get out of debt;" "I can't change who I am." While the briefest of analyses demonstrates how illogical these lies are - people find true love, get out of debt and change every day - we persist in believing them. If you tell yourself you can't, you won't make the real effort required to succeed.

• Do you pretend to be happy when you're not? Many of us have pretended to be happy on the job or at home when, in truth, we're very unhappy. Sometimes we pretend for the sake of others; sometimes because we worry about the consequences of expressing our true feelings. And sometimes, we do it to convince ourselves that we're happy. Are you happy? If you're not sure, or if you're sure you're unhappy, Hill recommends getting into "self-discovery" mode. Take a close look at the hobbies, relationships, activities and work you enjoy. Determining what they are and working them into your life starts the process of feeling more content, she says.

• Do you think you can't find a more satisfying job? It's important to find satisfaction and gratification in our work lives, Hill says. "We spend most of our waking hours on the job so if yours feels tedious, meaningless and dead end, you will be happier if you're at least working on a Plan B," she says. Since the economic downturn and soaring jobless rates, the mantra has been, "Be grateful if you have any job at all." That's the wrong attitude. "If you have an exceptional skill and are willing to work hard, chances are you can find something that makes you happier. If it's not a paying job, perhaps some volunteer work on the side," Hill says. Make a list of your skills and the things you enjoy. Do any of these match job descriptions in the real world? You may be surprised to find that your dream job - or something close to it --is out there. "Why wouldn't you go for it?" she asks.

About Cathy Holloway Hill

Cathy Holloway Hill is founder of C. Holloway Hill Enterprises, an international consulting, training and professional speaking firm focusing on personal and professional growth and effectiveness. Her guidance is sought by Fortune 100 companies, youth organizations and individuals who want to transform their lives. Hill has a bachelor's in computer science, a master's in psychology and numerous life coaching certifications. After 25 years in the corporate world, she walked away from her successful career at IBM in order to pursue her passion - helping people live happier lives. She is a winner of Indiana's Torchbearer Award for contributions to her state.

05 Sep 2012

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Grants to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers across 24 States

By USDA Office of Communications
New, Expanded Efforts Underscore USDA's Commitment to Young, Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers

BOONE, Iowa, Aug. 30, 2012-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $18 million in grants to organizations across 24 states that will help beginning farmers and ranchers with the training and resources needed to run productive, sustainable farms. Under the Secretary's leadership since 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has driven a number of efforts meant to spur interest in agriculture and provide the necessary support to young, beginning and socially-disadvantaged producers. At the Farm Progress Show today in Boone, Iowa, Vilsack said investing in beginning farmers, ranchers and producers is not only a smart investment, but one that is vital to our nation's national and economic security.

"In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become the second most productive sector of the American economy thanks to farmers adopting technology, reducing debt, and effectively managing risk," said Vilsack. "Last year, America's farmers, ranchers and producers achieved record farm income and record exports. To protect and sustain these successes, we must continue to build an agriculture industry diverse and successful enough to attract the smartest, hardest-working people in the nation. These grants will help beginning farmers and ranchers overcome the unique challenges they face and gain knowledge and skills that will help them become profitable and sustainable."

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) established through the 2008 Farm Bill. In his June 30, 2010 testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, the Secretary reminded Congress of the need to attract thousands of new producers in the coming years as American farmers and ranchers continue to age. Vilsack urged members of Congress to address this critical need when drafting a 2012 Food, Farm and Jobs bill. That legislation remains unfinished, while the current Farm Bill is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2012.

USDA makes BFRDP grants to organizations that implement education, training, technical assistance and outreach programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer. At least 25 percent of the program's funding supports the needs of limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as farm workers who want to get a start in farming and ranching.

In the first year of USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, three-year grants supported training for 5,000 beginning farmers and ranchers. In 2011, grants supported training for more than 38,000. For example, the Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project in Western North Carolina has directly assisted 865 farmers across 20 rural counties. Of the total participants, 46 percent were women. In addition, a group of seven organizations is working in rural communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma to educate, train, and foster mentorships for a variety of target groups, including military veterans. In the first year, the project created 32 mentorship opportunities and completed 12 internships with experienced farmers.

BFRDP will provide $18 million in funding this year, the fourth year of the program. Future funding is dependent on congressional reauthorization. For more information on the BFRDP program, and for a list of fiscal year 2012 awards, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

Beginning farmers, by USDA definition, are individuals with 10 years or less experience operating farms. Beginning farmers are in all age ranges, racial and ethnic groups, and both male and female. Currently, 30 percent of principal operators of farms are 65 years old or more, while the average age of U.S. farmers has climbed from 54 in 1997 to 57 in 2007. Research by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) finds that the two most common and important challenges faced by beginning farmers are (1) having the market opportunity to buy or rent suitable land and (2) having capital to acquire land of a large enough scale to be profitable.

BFRDP is just one tool to address these challenges, along with greater access to credit including a new microloan program, a new land contract guarantee program, risk management education for beginning and socially disadvantaged producers, and new online resources such as www.start2farm.gov and the Know Your Farmer Compass.

Since 2009, USDA has provided 128,000 loans to family farmers totaling more than $18 billion. Between 2009-2011, the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers climbed from 11,000 to 15,000. More than 40 percent of USDA's farm loans now go to beginning farmers, while over 50 percent of loans went to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers during the same time.

With expanded access to credit, USDA is helping a new generation of farmers sustain and build upon what is now the most productive period in history for American agriculture. To that end, in May the Secretary proposed a new microloan program to help small and family operations progress through their start-up years with needed resources, while building capacity, increasing equity, and eventually graduating to commercial credit. The microloan proposal allows producers to apply for loans of less than $35,000 using simplified and streamlined procedures. The goal of the microloan program is to better meet the credit needs of small farm operations while making more effective use of FSA resources.

The Land Contract Guarantee Program provides a valuable tool to transfer farm real estate to the next generation of farmers. Guarantees will be offered to the owner of a farm who wishes to sell real estate through a land contract to a beginning farmer or a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. In January, the Secretary expanded the Land Contract Guarantee Program from six states to all 50 states.

USDA's Risk Management Agency supports crop insurance education and outreach in 47 states to beginning, small, and historically underserved farmers and ranchers. From October 2010 through September 2011, a total of 77,000 farmers and ranchers attended educational sessions or were reached by direct mailing with educational information.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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