Transportation & Marketing Program

The AMS Transportation and Marketing Program supports the transportation of agricultural products, local and regional food systems, and increasing consumer access to fresh, healthy foods throughout the United States and abroad. Our programs, grants, and services help small- and mid-sized producers with marketing opportunities through the combination of applied research, technical services, and financial support. 

The Transportation Economics Division serves as the expert source for economic analysis on agricultural transportation from farm to markets through transportation market reports, regulatory representation, and technical assistance. This division provides data and analysis on truck, rail, barge, and ocean transportation, covering the four primary modes of moving agricultural products throughout the United States and abroad.

The Grants Division carries out several distinct grant programs benefiting agricultural systems in collaboration with states, municipalities, tribal governments, universities, and agricultural businesses. These programs focus on local and regional food systems and the specialty crops, dairy, maple syrup, and sheep industries. The programs are designed to support the economic development for communities and commodities by funding projects that enhance the marketability and competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products.

The Local and Regional Foods Division and its team of economists, architects and agricultural marketing specialists conduct research, provide technical assistance, and operate the USDA Regional Food Business Centers. The team’s work supports business creation and growth within local and regional food systems while increasing consumer access to fresh, healthy foods in communities nationwide. The division manages USDA’s Local Food Directories, a set of online resources that are designed to provide customers with convenient access to information about farmers market, CSAs, on-farm markets and food hubs locations, directions, hours, product offerings, and accepted forms of payment. This division’s Wholesale Markets and Facility Design team provides no-cost technical assistance to stakeholders that want to construct new structures or remodel existing ones in support of further developing the local and regional food system.

The USDA Farmers Market, located at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC, serves as a “living laboratory” for farmers markets and community gardens. The market supports the local economy, increases marketing opportunities for farmers and small businesses, provides access to an assortment of local and regionally sourced products, and increases access to healthy, affordable food in the District of Columbia.

Contact Information

Tricia Kovacs, Deputy Administrator
E-mail: tricia.kovacs@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 690-1300

Wing Padilla, Acting Associate Deputy Administrator
E-mail: wing.padilla@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 690-1300

Kimberly Spriggs, Chief of Staff
E-mail:kimberly.spriggs@usda.gov
Phone (202) 690-1300