The Foreign Service Journal, May 2003

24 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A Y 2 0 0 3 F O C U S O N F A S n March 10, the Foreign Agricultural Service celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the atmosphere could hardly have been more pleasant. Sunlight streamed through the skylights of the tasteful, old-brick USDA atrium, and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., were on hand to announce that FAS would be the lead agency in a new international aid program. Agency retirees, invited back for the party, chat- ted cheerfully with old friends. Things are indeed going well for FAS, one of the the smallest of the foreign affairs agencies in which Foreign Service O Kevin Rechin T HE F OREIGN A GRICULTURAL S ERVICE T ODAY T HE OUTLOOK FOR THE F OREIGN A GRICULTURAL S ERVICE IS GENERALLY POSITIVE , BUT THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ISSUES FOR IT TO ADDRESS . B Y B OB G ULDIN