Plain writing
We at the Farm Credit Administration have long recognized the importance of plain writing, and we strive to ensure that all of the documents we issue are written plainly. But plain writing is no longer just a good idea — it's the law.
Plain writing requirements
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear government communication that the public can understand and use." President Obama also emphasized the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration" in his January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government. In July 2011, we issued a Plain Writing Act Implementation Plan.
We are committed to using plain language in any document that
- is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes,
- provides information about any federal government benefit or service, or
- explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces.
For information about the agency's progress in complying with the requirements of the Plain Writing Act, see the FCA Plain Writing Act Compliance Report (PDF), which was issued on April 15, 2024.
Feedback from you
If you have difficulty understanding any of our documents or material on our website, please contact Emily Yaghmour at [email protected] or 703-883-4066. With your help, we can improve the guidance we provide the institutions we regulate and the service we provide to the American people.
