Farm Service needs money to modernize IT

In today's world, where dollars are being thrown by the billions (and, for that matter, the trillions), it's pretty unusual to hear about an award of money in the stimulus package that is only in the millions.

But that's exactly what happened to the Farm Service, which received $50 million to modernize its aging computer system. The system is used to process loans and subsidy payments for farmers. The Farm Service says it is not enough to finance what is really needed--a new network--and it's hard to quibble with an agency that says it needs more money when after finding out how much others are receiving for their modernization projects.

The $50 million is in sharp contrast to the $245 million the House initially set aside to replace the system. But somewhere between the rubber and the road, the facts were lost and $50 million emerged as the final number.

For more on the Farm Service computer struggles:
- check out this nextgov.com article