Public notification and use of the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with DR 4300-003, the following USDA Non-Discrimination Statement is to be used in the issuance of all publications. It will be posted in all offices and included, in full on all materials which are produced by UMES Ag Experiment Station and UMES Extension, and for its programs for public information, public education or public distribution. Print and non-print materials include, but are not limited to, audio, video, website, brochures, newsletters, and by-laws. This statement should be displayed in the same font size as the main text.
If the size of the material is too small to include the full statement, the material must, at a minimum, include the following statement in print in the same size as the main text: “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.” Exceptions are for some small brochures, some audio or visual presentations, business cards and web email trailers.
The statement shall be in English and in languages appropriate to the local population or directly affected by any USDA program or activity, and in alternative means of communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape).
Full USDA Non-Discrimination Statement (as of June 5, 2026):
https://www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Shortened USDA Non-Discrimination Statement:
(Authorized only when meeting requirements as listed in section “Public notification and use of the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement,” paragraph two.)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
‘And Justice for All’ Posters
All UMES Ag Experiment Station and UMES Extension offices, centers, facilities will display the USDA Non-Discrimination poster “And Justice for All” in a prominent location where there is a USDA presence and where customers can view it. If you are conducting programs/activities offsite, an employee must make sure the poster is displayed at the event; this includes programs conducted online. Sound judgement will be applied as to the need for the statement in specific situations. Form AD-475-C is the poster that applies to conducted programs.
Division employees must read the content of the poster and know the purpose of the poster: to inform customers of their rights, and includes the USDA’s Non-Discrimination Statement and the procedure for filing a USDA program discrimination complaint.
The posters must be printed at 11×17 inches. The minimum text size to be used on the posters is 14 points. Posters provided directly from the USDA’s Communications Office already meet this standard.
As part of normal review processes, compliance with the public notifications will be ensured.
Reasonable Accommodations and Alternative Formats
In all informational materials released to the public, the following statement should be published. This statement indicates the organization is compliant with civil rights law and reasonable accommodations will be made for those individuals with disabilities to have access to the program or activity; and materials may be available in alternative formats. This is in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998.
“If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact ADA@umes.edu or call 410-651-6135.”
