The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was established in 1862 and has a stated mission to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. The secretary of agriculture, who is appointed by the president of the United States and serves as a cabinet member, administers the policies and programs of the department. This entry provides a brief overview of the mission areas, offices, and agencies that make up USDA, which is a key source for up-to-the-minute information about all issues involving food and agriculture in the United States.

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services strive to strengthen the agricultural economy through the delivery of the commodity, credit, conservation, disaster, and emergency assistance programs.

Farm Service Agency is administered directly by state and county offices. County ...

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