USDA officials have been notified that additional fraudulent letters and phone calls have been received by individuals in a number of states, including New Jersey.
Letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in a growing number of states. The letters and calls purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information.
The fraudulent letters bear USDA's logo and seal and are signed by an individual identified as "Frank Rutenberg" using a title of "Senior Procurement Officer". Recipients should not respond and should not supply the requested information. USDA is investigating this matter through the Office of the Inspector General. USDA first learned that the letters were being circulated on March 16, 2012.
If you suspect you have received such a letter or have been called by someone representing themselves as being from USDA seeking personal information, please contact USDA at:
New Jersey, known as the Garden State, has a vast diversity of landscapes and is a unique combination of densely populated urban centers and open agricultural areas. For a small state, agriculture in New Jersey is quite significant with more than 100 crops being produced. Despite legislative and public pressures, high input costs, and the second highest per-acre market value of farmland in the nation, 17% of New Jersey land is under cultivation and the estimated market value of New Jersey farms is greater than $7 billion with yearly cash receipts approaching $900 million.
New Jersey produces 22% of the blueberries, 5% of the peaches and 2% of greenhouse/nursery crops sold in the US. The Garden State ranks Number Two in blueberry production, Number Three in cranberries and bell peppers, and Number Four in peaches. New Jersey has the highest concentration of horses in the US.
The Farm Service Agency is a safety outlet for producers. It helps ensure:
- The well-being of American Agriculture, the environment, and the American People though efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs;
- Farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans;
- Conservation and environmental programs;
- Emergency and disaster assistance;
- Domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs.
Our Goals are to:
- Help Farmers Conserve Land and Water Resources
- Provide Credit to New or Disadvantaged Farmers
- Help Farm Operations Recover From the Effects of Disaster
If you believe that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) improperly denied farm loan benefits to you between 1981 and 2000 because you are Hispanic or because you are female, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To register your name to receive a claims packet, call the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429 or visit: www.farmerclaims.gov. The claims packet will have detailed information about the eligibility and claims process.
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Farm Service Agency NJ State Office 300 Clocktower Drive, Suite 202 Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 Phone: (609) 587-0104 Fax: Administrative: (609) 587-0904 Programs: (609) 587-0906
- Russell J. Marino (Chairperson)
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