As TASCOE VP it’s a privilege and honor to represent “YOU” County Office Employees who serve farmers and ranchers across this great state of Texas. From the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley to the Piney Woods of East Texas, wherever there’s an FSA County office you are there at the counter serving your producers with a smile. There is no better job or career in life than providing service to those who feed the world. Thanks to you we live in a country with the safest and most affordable supply of food and fiber in the world!

The year of 2009 will provide many challenges and opportunities for our county offices. We will face multiple signups of DCP, MILC, SURE, LFP, TAP, ELAP, LIP, and NAP to name a few. To be successful each of us must help our neighbor and establish a clear line of communication from our county offices to Washington D.C. To win our legislative battles I encourage each TASCOE district to establish a point of contact with your local congressional representative. By using our COC’s and local leaders in commodity and farm organizations we can build coalitions to gain the ear of Congress and tell our story. Our upcoming legislative conference will provide an important forum for TASCOE/NASCOE to voice your concerns to Congress on important issues, such as our need for more temporary and permanent staffing to administer the myriad of programs contained in the 2008 Farm Bill.

TASCOE is your team that works for “YOU”! Support TASCOE through membership and letting us know your thoughts and concerns out there in the county office. No question or concern is too small to let us know about. Call your TASCOE Director with any legislative or employee related concern and we’ll work to get you an answer.

If you are reading this page then you are utilizing our TASCOE web page which is the product of Keith Hiser, our TASCOE Web Master. So much information is just a click of your mouse away. Nominate that special person for a Distinguished Service Award by the February 1 st deadline by simply clicking the Awards Page link and downloading the DSA Award coversheet. Download a scholarship application form from the scholarship link. Check out the numerous benefits of being a TASCOE member from the benefits page. These are just a few important links that you can browse from our TASCOE Web Page.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Farmers Branch in July! Until then please feel free to let me know your thoughts and concerns at darvincollins@aol.com. Please email or call me at any time, my door is always open to you!

Darvin L. Collins

TASCOE VP