United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency responsible for developing and implementing policies related to farming, forestry, ranching, food safety, nutrition, and rural development. Founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, the USDA now oversees a broad array of programs that support agricultural producers, protect food supplies, conserve natural resources, and deliver nutrition assistance to millions of Americans.

Key functions

• Regulate and inspect food safety for meat, poultry, and egg products; oversee nutrition labeling and food quality.
• Administer major nutrition and social programs, including school meal programs, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
• Support farmers, ranchers, and forest managers through research, technical assistance, disaster relief, and conservation programs.
• Promote rural economic development by providing housing assistance, utilities support, and business programs.
• Conduct agricultural research and maintain national agricultural information resources (e.g., National Agricultural Library).

Organizational structure and leadership

• The USDA is led by the Secretary of Agriculture, with a Deputy Secretary overseeing daily operations and the department’s budget.
• Undersecretaries manage major mission areas (for example: rural development, food safety, natural resources).
• The department comprises 29 agencies and offices, including the Forest Service and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
• USDA personnel serve across thousands of locations nationwide and internationally.

Rural development and housing

Rural development is a primary USDA focus, aimed at improving economic opportunity and quality of life in rural America. USDA Rural Development organizes three main program areas:
– Housing: Direct loans for very-low-income borrowers, guaranteed loans for moderate-income buyers, and grants or loans for home repairs and improvements. These programs help eligible rural families purchase modest homes—often with low or no down payment.
– Utilities: Funding and technical support for rural water, electric, broadband, and other essential services.
– Business and community programs: Loans, grants, and technical assistance to support rural businesses and community infrastructure.

Food safety, nutrition, and social programs

The USDA plays a central role in ensuring a safe, nutritious food supply and in delivering nutrition assistance:
– Food safety inspections and labeling requirements help keep meat, poultry, and egg products wholesome and accurately described.
– Nutrition programs include school meals, SNAP, and WIC, along with nutrition education and promotion efforts to improve public health.

Conservation, research, and support services

• The USDA promotes sustainable management of soil, water, forests, and wildlife habitat through conservation programs and technical assistance.
• It conducts and funds agricultural research, gathers statistics, and provides data to support policy and market decisions.
• The department also offers disaster assistance and recovery programs for farmers, ranchers, and rural residents.

Scale and operations

• The USDA operates through its 29 agencies and nearly 100,000 employees at more than 4,500 locations across the United States and abroad.
• Its programs combine regulatory roles, direct assistance, grants, loans, research, and educational outreach to meet its mission.

Role today

The USDA remains a central agency for supporting agricultural production, protecting the food supply, advancing conservation, and strengthening rural communities. Its programs aim to help producers succeed, protect public health, and improve living standards across rural America. For detailed program information and eligibility rules, consult USDA resources or local USDA offices.