Digital Strategy at USDA
1.2.0 Make Open Data, Content, and Web APIs the New Default
Due: May 23, 2013
Status: In Progress
2.1.0 Engage with Customers to Identify High-Value Data and Content to Make Available through Web APIs
Due: August 23, 2012
Status: Completed
2.1.1 Customer Engagement Approach
To engage with internal and external customers, we will use our integrated communications platform to offer various opportunities for input and engagement. Given USDA's broad mission and diverse range of customers, agencies will maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders.
As USDA's Digital Strategy implementation continues, check back often for new opportunities for collaboration through USDA.gov/open, social media activities like our monthly #AskUSDA chats, and updates from the USDA Blog.
2.1.2 Prioritized List of Systems (datasets)
Due: August 23, 2012
Status: Completed
| System Name | System Description | Scope | Main Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Farmers Market Directory | AMS produced directory containing information about U.S. farmers market locations, directions, operating times, product offerings, and accepted forms of payment. Supports local and regional food systems, as well as development of local economies. Farmers Market Directory API |
Both | Consumers, Government, Producers |
| Office Information Profile System | USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This tool provides the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them. | Both | All stakeholders |
| ERS Web Content and Charts of Note | Highlights from our current and past research currently provided in daily Charts of Note available via Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces, a system of machine-to-machine interactions over a network), and an embeddable widget code. Access the ERS APIs on their developer page and grab the code for an easy Charts of Note widget. | External | Policymakers, Program managers, Media, Researchers, Education Institutions |
2.2 Completed
Visit USDA's Developer Resources page to find and access featured data or web services from the Department's agencies and mission areas. This page will be updated as agencies make available new developer tools and data resources, so be sure to check back often. Do you have feedback, ideas, or questions for USDA APIs? Use the USDA GitHub repository's Issue Tracker
to join the discussion.
2.2.0 Make Existing High-Value Data and Content Available through Web APIs
Due: May 23, 2013
Status: Completed
2.2.1 Report on systems (datasets)
Status: In Progress
2.2.2 Plan on Future Activity
Status: In Progress
4.2.0 Establish USDA Digital Strategy Governance
Due: November 23, 2012
Status: Completed
USDA will utilize existing crosscutting teams and resources to collaboratively manage Digital Strategy activities throughout the Department. To clearly articulate the overarching framework and approach, as well as detail broad roles and responsibilities, USDA cleared and published Departmental Regulation 1496-001 (11/21/12) Digital Strategy Governance.
This Regulation addresses the partnership between the Office of Communications (OC) and Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), as well as agency web, information technology and public affairs professionals who all have a role to play in ensuring the success of USDA's Digital Strategy implementation.
The policy addresses the presentation, platform, information and security layers and associated agency or program teams and subject matter experts. This collaborative relationship is key to USDA's digital communication activities to ensure that we are delivering high-value services and systems in the most efficient, relevant and cost-effective manner to our internal and external customers.
OC and OCIO will work together when reviewing digital service project requests to ensure the activity aligns with the Department's strategic priorities and fully addresses the needs of the customer.
The entities involved in discussing trends, submitting project proposals and implementing digital strategy objectives include:
Information Priorities Investments Council
Chief Information Officer Council
Agency Webmasters
Public Affairs Directors
Link to Governance Document: Departmental Regulation.
5.2.0 Establish USDA inventory of Mobile Devices and Wireless Service Contracts
Due: November 23, 2012
Status: Completed
| Agencies and Offices | Device Inventory Status | Contract Inventory Status | Bureau Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-45 |
| Agricultural Research Service (ARS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-18 |
| Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-32 |
| Economic Research Service (ERS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-13 |
| Farm Service Agency (FSA) | Completed | In Progress | 005-49 |
| Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-86 |
| Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-35 |
| Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-68 |
| Forest Service (FS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-96 |
| Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) | Completed | In Progress | 005-37 |
| National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-15 |
| National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) | Completed | In Progress | 005-20 |
| Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) | Completed | In Progress | 005-53 |
| Risk Management Agency (RMA) | Completed | In Progress | 005-47 |
| Rural Development (RD) | Completed | In Progress | 005-55 |
| Departmental Management (DM) | Completed | In Progress | 005-05 |
| National Appeals Division (NAD) | Completed | In Progress | 005-11 |
| Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) | Completed | In Progress | 005-09 |
| Office of Communications (OC) | Completed | In Progress | 005-06 |
| Office of the Inspector General (OIG) | Completed | In Progress | 005-18 |
| Office of the General Counsel (OGC) | Completed | In Progress | 005-10 |
We have completed a majority of the contract inventory for each agency, but will complete within the next quarter.
5.3.0 Evaluate Government-wide Vehicles in Alternative Analysis for New Mobile-Related Procurements
Due: May 23, 2013
Status: In Progress
6.3.0 Ensure all New Digital Services Follow Improvement Guidelines
Due: Within 6 months of release of improvement guidance
Status: In Progress
7.1.0 Engage with Customers to Improve Priority Customer-Facing Services for Mobile Use
Due: August 23, 2012
Status: Completed
7.1.1 Customer Engagement Approach
To engage with internal and external customers, we will use our integrated communications platform to offer various opportunities for input and engagement. Given USDA's broad mission and diverse range of customers, agencies will maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders.
As USDA's Digital Strategy implementation continues, check back often for new opportunities for collaboration through USDA.gov/open, social media activities like our monthly #AskUSDA chats, and updates from the USDA Blog.
7.1.2 Prioritized List of Services
Due: August 23, 2012
Status: Completed
| Service Name | System Description | Scope | Main Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA Newsroom | The USDA Newsroom holds official news releases, statements, transcripts and speeches released by the Department. | Both | Media, Industry, Congress, Businesses |
| AmberWaves eZine | Fully mobile-optimized online magazine, and magazine app for offline reading on tablets and other mobile devices. Stay connected with the Amber Waves app for tablets. Subscribe to the quarterly magazine on iTunes or Google Play. |
Both | Policymakers, Program managers, Media, Researchers, Education Institutions |
| Meat and Poultry Inspection Directory | The Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory is a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act. Android App |
Both | USDA employees, farmers, producers, ranchers, consumers, businesses, government agencies |
7.2.0 Optimize Priority Customer-Facing Services for Mobile Use
Due: May 23, 2013
Status: In Progress
7.2.1 Report on Services
Due: May 23, 2013
Status: In Progress
7.2.2 Plan on Future Activity
Status: In Progress
8.2.0 Implement Performance and Customer Satisfaction Measuring Tools on .gov Websites
Due: January 23, 2013
Status: Completed
In March 2012, USDA completed enterprise implementation of web analytics tool. Establishing formal analytics program that includes regular reporting and evaluation, recommendations, and digital communication improvements.