x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Mon, 2 Jan 2017 20:42:59 -0500 thread-index: AdJlYra1QU9LKvVNQluwHmnSM9/Xog== Thread-Topic: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency From: To: Subject: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2017 20:42:59 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.23573 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 03 Jan 2017 01:42:59.0577 (UTC) FILETIME=[B6D4DE90:01D26562] WORKFLOW 344 Ms Jacqueline Madison Issue with the Farm Service Agency Farm Service Agency - SC 6571 State Rte. 22 Plattsburgh NY 12901 jemcal16@aol.com 518-562-5686 Hello, In November, after the video of the newly elected President there has been numerous conversations on the use of "locker room talk." The wife of the Republican Presidential candidate, at that time, referred to it as "boy talk." No matter the terminology used to identify it, I would agree with the First Lady, that "enough is enough." In New York, we are planning the celebration of women's suffrage. However, sadly, it may be just a farce, as women are still not considered equal to men. Although we may be able to vote, we have little or no say in what is happening around us or to us. Disrespect of women is as old as the first profession and it is still a major issue today. In fact, my sister and I are dealing with it as part of farm land that we've acquired from our mother, which she obtained from our grandfather. I'm writing to you hoping that your office can be of assistance with an issue that my sister and I have been grappling with for nearly a decade. My grandfather left land in South Carolina to six of his children and with their passing the land was to be passed down to their children. We are those individuals. Acquiring the land wasn't an issue, it was the lack of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) providing us with information and treating us, as if we didn't really exist, although they have repeatedly told us, "we know you're an owner, but we can't tell you anything." How ironic that sounds. The land has been utilized by farmers over that time, who worked with the USDA. None of this information was provided to us, as we had to research it ourselves and seek information from the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA). USDA in South Carolina works only with one cousin, who doesn't provide us with any information. His name is Allen Coleman. He sent us a request earlier this year to sign a power of attorney for the use of the land by Norwood Farms. And in the letter, he stated that he received the check, but we have not seen any funds, neither did he say the amount received. I refused, as well as my sister to sign the power of attorney. I sent the refusal to Coleman and Norwood Farms and to the USDA. USDA did response with a letter, but didn't provide any details. And I was told by them that we know you're an owner, but we can't tell you anything about the farm you own, although males are making money off of it. All the farmers were males. And, they have only worked with a male cousin, even telling us that we cannot lease the farm to a perspective farmer, but the male cousin can do it. In fact the only way we've been able to get information is by submitting a FOIA request. The request came with some areas that were blacked out. Previously, we've had no knowledge of who was renting the land and how much they were paying, since USDA refuses to work with us and only works with the male cousin. The male cousin is also not sharing any information. While we may all be disgusted with the locker room or boy talk, the bigger issue is still the lack of respect for women. The talk is just a side line since the real problem is and has always been women's standing in our society. USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) has demonstrated time and time again to me that women have no rights and I would say USDA-FSA believes we should be seen and not heard. Our concern has always been that women have no say, even if they are owners when dealing with USDA-FSA. This is a very brief overview of what has occurred and I would certainly be willing to provide more details in a phone call or visit, as I've kept a table of all the things that have occurred in the last ten years. Or, would it be better to put it on social media and get input from others. We would appreciate any assistance you could provide us. Jackie Madison Barbara Scott 68.191.8.255