Department of Agriculture (U.S.)

Eight Major Groups

The UDSA is organized into eight major groups. The undersecretary for small community and rural development directs the Farmers' Home Administration, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Rural Electrification Administration. The undersecretary for international affairs and community programs directs the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The assistant secretary for marketing and inspection services directs the Agricultural Cooperative Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Federal Grain Inspection Service, and other agencies. The assistant secretary for natural resources and environment directs the Forest Service and National Resources Conservation Service. The Forest Service manages the cutting of timber on federal lands. The National Resources Conservation Service was formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. The assistant secretary for food and consumer services heads the Food and Nutrition Service and the Human Nutrition Information Service. The assistant secretary for administration directs the Office of Operations and other offices. The assistant secretary for economics supervises the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Economic Research Service. The assistant secretary for science and education directs the Agricultural Research Service and other agencies. In addition, there is an assistant secretary for governmental and public affairs.

Because food is a permanent concern of the U.S. government, Congress and President Abraham Lincoln created an agricultural agency in 1862 with a commissioner at its chief operating officer. In the 1860s, about 60 percent of Americans were farmers. They were in constant need of good seed, information, and other help in order to maximize their productivity. In 1889, Congress elevated the original agency to department level with a secretary in charge. From its beginning, the USDA has worked with land-grant colleges, universities, and others with cooperative programs for agricultural research. It has an extension service covering rural areas, with resident farm agents who aid farmers with information. Educational programs for school children ensure there will be future farmers. Other programs aid college educational programs of students studying agriculture at the undergraduate and graduate level. The USDA serves farmers, ranchers, and the public through its programs in a variety of ways that go beyond just farming. As crop yields increased from the use of improved farming methods, the USDA expanded its activities to marketing the growing farm surplus at home and abroad.

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