General Information
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad.
We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
Our strategic goals serve as a roadmap for the Department to help ensure we achieve our mission and implement our vision.
When President Lincoln established the United States Department of Agriculture, he called it the “People's Department." At USDA we are working tirelessly to be a model department that serves all people of our great Nation. This video captures the ways USDA touches the lives of everyday Americans—today, tomorrow, and every day—as we take steps toward a brighter future.
Critical Resources
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
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USDA's current initiatives and programs provide assistance in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource protection and management, rural development, and related issues.
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USDA has several mission areas including providing assistance to America's Farmers, improving health, endinghunger, ensuring food safety, providing marketing assistance, and conserving and protecting natural resources.
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Our vision is to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
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USDA has set four cross-cutting strategic priorities as part of its work on behalf of producers, families, and rural communities:
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