Milkshake the Cow
| Submitted | June 2, 2022 |
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Communications
From: Nicholas Marritz
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Dear AMS:
This is a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act. I am requesting records related to AMS's mascot, Milkshake the Cow.
RECORDS REQUESTED:
(A) All records related to the conception of and process of designing the Milkshake mascot (emails and other correspondence, memoranda, contracts, sketches, etc.)
(B) Records sufficient to answer the following questions:
(1) Whose idea was it to create an AMs mascot in the first place, and why?
(2) Who designed the Milkshake mascot, and what was the design process like? (e.g. were there multiple design concepts submitted? Was the design of the character contracted out? (If so, kindly produce the contract).
(3) Were any Milkshake-related promotional items or tchotchkes created (e.g trading cards, coloring books)? If so, please produce them.
(4) Were there any life-size Milkshake costumes created? If so, please produce records related to the design of the costume (contracts, sketches, etc.) and any guidelines regarding the use of or care for the costume.
(5) Did anyone in Congress ever object to AMS's use of a mascot? I understand that there have been periodic attempts by lawmakers (e.g. former Oklahoma senator Tom Coburn) to rein in agency spending on mascots. If so, please produce all records related to that.
(6) What has the public's reaction been to the Milkshake mascot?
(7) Is AMS still using Milkshake as part of its public outreach? If not, why not?
REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER:
The requested documents will be made available to the general public online for free, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. I am working on a project examining the history, creation, evolution, and use of mascots across the federal government—because, like many others, I find them fascinating and weirdly delightful. Thus, I respectfully request that any fees related to this request be waived. If you do decide to charge me fees, please notify me in advance if you expect those fees to exceed $25.
FORM OF PRODUCTION:
I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
CONCLUSION:
Thank you very much for your cooperation with this request. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Nicholas Marritz
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Marritz
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 7, 2022. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 7, 2022. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear AMS:
On June 7, I sent you a FOIA request for records related to your mascot, Milkshake the Cow. The FOIA gives you 20 business days to acknowledge and respond to the request. It has been more than 20 business days. Can you please give me a status update on this request?
Many thanks,
Nicholas Marritz
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear AMS:
On June 7, I sent you a FOIA request for records related to your mascot, Milkshake the Cow. The FOIA gives you 20 business days to acknowledge and respond to the request. It has been more than 20 business days. Can you please give me a status update on this request?
Many thanks,
Nicholas Marritz
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear AMS:
On June 7, I sent you a FOIA request for records related to your mascot, Milkshake the Cow. The FOIA gives you 20 business days to acknowledge and respond to the request. It has been more than 20 business days. Could you please give me a status update on this request?
Many thanks,
Nicholas Marritz
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear AMS:
On June 7, I sent you a FOIA request seeking records related to AMS's mascot, Milkshake the Cow. I haven't yet received an acknowledgment of my request, and it's now well beyond the 20-business-day response period. Could I please get an update about this request?
Thanks very much,
Nicholas Marritz
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
Dear Mr. Marritz,
This email confirms receipt of your attached FOIA request. Your request was received in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) FOIA Office on September 6, 2022 and assigned tracking number 2022-AMS-00193-F. Please reference this number in any future communications with our office regarding your request.
Pursuant to the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i), AMS has 20 business days upon receipt of your request to make a determination. In unusual circumstances, such as the need to search for and collect records from field offices, the need to examine a voluminous amount of records, or the need to consult with another agency, AMS can extend the 20-day time limit for processing a request. AMS generally processes FOIA requests on a "first-in/first-out" basis; however, the actual processing time will depend upon the complexity of your request, including whether it involves sensitive or voluminous records, business submitter records, extensive searches, and/or multiple consultations both within and outside of the Agency.
In addition to your request for records, you asked that we waive all fees associated with processing your request. As a requester, you bear the burden under the FOIA of showing that the fee waiver requirements have been met. Based on our review of your request and the reasons stated, we have determined that your fee waiver request does sufficiently meet all of the criteria under the FOIA and the applicable regulations; therefore, your request for a fee waiver is approved.
We will comply with your request to the fullest extent permissible by law. Any records not subject to an exemption will be forwarded to you promptly upon completion of AMS' search and review process.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, please contact Kyla Niedermaier-Betts, Government Information Specialist, at (202) 961-5298 or by email at kyla.niedermaier-betts1@usda.gov<mailto:kyla.niedermaier-betts1@usda.gov>.
Thank you,
Heather Higgs
Government Information Specialist
FOIA Office
Agricultural Marketing Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Bozeman, Montana
Office/Cell: (202) 641-8684
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 7, 2022. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
Good Morning,
We have reached out to the program office for the documents responsive to this request. Once we receive the documents, we can process them under the FOIA. At that time, I can provide an estimated date of completion. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks!
Best Wishes and Warmest Regards,
Kyla Niedermaier-Betts (she/her)
FOIA Specialist
Agricultural Marketing Service-USDA
(202) 961-5298
kyla.niedermaier-betts1@usda.gov
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From: Nicholas Marritz
Thank you very much for letting me know, Ms. Niedermaier-Betts.
With kind regards,
Nick Marritz
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 7, 2022. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
Good Morning,
The records have been received by the program office and are currently being reviewed through business submitter notice. Once I receive the records back from the businesses, I can give you an estimated date of completion. Thanks!!
Best Wishes and Warmest Regards,
Kyla Niedermaier-Betts (she/her)
FOIA Specialist
Agricultural Marketing Service-USDA
(202) 961-5298
kyla.niedermaier-betts1@usda.gov
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From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
Dear Mr. Marritz,
Please find attached a final response to your FOIA request, 2022-AMS-00193-F.
Thank you,
Natalie
Natalie Anderson
Government Information Specialist
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
(202) 503-5370
Natalie.Anderson@usda.gov<mailto:Natalie.Anderson@usda.gov>
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear Ms. Anderson:
Thank you so much for these records! I greatly appreciate them, and thanks to AMS for their handling of this request.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Marritz
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
Hi Mr. Marritz,
I’m glad that you received the records. I appreciate your patience with this request, especially after our issues with receiving it.
Hope you have a nice day.
Thank you,
Natalie
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