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U.S. Department of Agriculture

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About Food
Providing a safety net for millions of Americans who are food-insecure and for developing and promoting dietary guidance based on scientific evidence.
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Food Assistance Programs Overview

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

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Food Safety

Food Safety Overview
USDA conducts and funds food safety research to generate real-world results for both government and the private sector.

Food Safety Recalls

Food Loss and Waste

Food Security

Health and Safety

Nutrition Policy and Programs

Nutrition Research and Programs Overview
USDA provides leadership, technical expertise and cooperation for developing of the Dietary Guidelines and Federal nutrition and economic initiatives.

Nutrition Programs

Dietary Health

Research and Science

Food Distribution

Food Assistance Programs

Food Assistance Programs Overview
USDA provides critical nutrition assistance through Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and emergency food assistance among many other programs.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the food essential to health and well-being.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC safeguards the health of low-income women, infants, and children at nutrition risk by providing food, healthy eating, and healthcare referrals.
SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending

Soon, many SNAP households will experience a change to their benefit amounts.

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Tackle Foodborne Illness When Ordering Takeout or Delivered Foods

If left out too long, all foods can become a source of foodborne illness.

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Cooking Meat: Is It Done Yet?

Only 55% of people use a food thermometer to verify if their food is safe to consume.

Learn More
About Farming and Ranching
We maintain a safety net for America's farmers, ranchers and growers that includes disaster assistance, crop insurance, access to credit and more.
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Farming and Ranching Menu

Farm Bill

Farm Bill Overview

New Farmers

New Farmers Overview

Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers

Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Overview

Agricultural Coexistence

Commodity Credit Corporation

Programs and Support

Animal Science

Animal Science Overview

Animal Production

One Health

Animal Reports and Data

BSE Surveillance Information Center

Plants and Crops

Plants and Crops Overview

Biotechnology

Crop Production

Plant Health and Research

Plant Breeding

Pest and Weed Management

Organic Farming

Organic Farming Overview

Organic Certification

Organic Training and Transition Assistance

Organic Research, Education, and Extension Programs

Agricultural Education and Outreach

Agricultural Education and Outreach Overview

Youth in Agriculture

Educator Resources

Women in Agriculture

Veterans

Urban Agriculture

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Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers

Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers Overview

Crop and Livestock Insurance

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Aquaculture

Aquaculture Overview

Farming and Ranching Submenus

Farm Bill

Farm Bill Overview
President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, and the USDA promptly began implementing key programs.

New Farmers

New Farmers Overview
New Farmers offers information and resources on how to start a farm, make a business plan, access to land and capital, manage risk, and more.

Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers

Resources for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Overview
Small and midsize producers provide new opportunities for American agriculture across the country.

Agricultural Coexistence

Commodity Credit Corporation

Programs and Support

Animal Science

Animal Science Overview
Through applied research and developing technology, USDA has improved the research of animal diseases, well-being, veterinary biologics, and BSE.

Animal Production
Through research programs and reports, USDA has developed biotechnological methods and gathered data to show the development of animal productivity.

One Health

Animal Reports and Data

BSE Surveillance Information Center

Plants and Crops

Plants and Crops Overview
USDA is developing strategies to reduce losses caused by plant diseases, pests, and weeds, providing a system to maintain environmental quality.

Biotechnology

Crop Production

Plant Health and Research

Plant Breeding

Pest and Weed Management

Organic Farming

Organic Farming Overview
The USDA has a wealth of organic data for producers, processors, consumers, and researchers.

Organic Certification

Organic Training and Transition Assistance

Organic Research, Education, and Extension Programs

Agricultural Education and Outreach

Agricultural Education and Outreach Overview
The food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the fuel that powers our lives is produced with agriculture.

Youth in Agriculture

Educator Resources

Women in Agriculture

Veterans

Urban Agriculture

Rural Development

Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers

Financial Resources for Farmers and Ranchers Overview
USDA provides financial support including crop and livestock insurance, grants and loans, and disaster resources for farmers and ranchers.

Crop and Livestock Insurance

Grants and Loans

Aquaculture

Aquaculture Overview
Aquaculture is the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions throughout part or all their lifecycle.
USDA Supports America’s Heroes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to military veterans across the country to fill the roles that keep America’s food supply safe and secure, preserve and strengthen rural communities, and restore and conserve the environment.
Apply Now
About Forestry
Forestry is the science and practice of establishing, managing, using, and conserving forests and related resources to meet goals, needs, and values.
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Forests Menu

Agroforestry

Agroforestry Overview

Agroforestry Frequently Asked Questions

USDA's Role in Agroforestry

Landowner Assistance

Landowner Assistance Overview

Disaster Resource Center

Disaster Resource Center Overview

Drought

Hawaii Wildfires

Pests and Animal Disease

Weather Events

Wildland Fire

Forest Research and Development

Forest Research and Development Overview

Forest Recreation

Forest Recreation Overview

Forests Submenus

Agroforestry

Agroforestry Overview
Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming to create environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Agroforestry Frequently Asked Questions

USDA's Role in Agroforestry

Landowner Assistance

Landowner Assistance Overview
USDA provides several landowner assistance programs and partnerships to assist private landowners and rural communities.

Disaster Resource Center

Disaster Resource Center Overview
The Disaster Resource Center provides information on how to prepare, recover and build long-term resilience during disasters and emergencies.

Drought

Hawaii Wildfires

Pests and Animal Disease

Weather Events

Wildland Fire

Forest Research and Development

Forest Research and Development Overview
Forest Service Research and Development scientists research the biological, physical, and social sciences related to forests and rangelands.

Forest Recreation

Forest Recreation Overview
What U.S. residents should know before going abroad, and rules for bringing items back from your trip.
Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool

Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you by completing five simple steps.

Find Assistance Now
About Sustainability
Sustainable agricultural productivity growth is a foundational element in building more sustainable agricultural and food systems.
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Sustainability Menu

Conservation

Conservation Overview

Land Conservation

Wildlife

Environmental Markets

Environmental Markets Overview

About the Office of Environmental Markets

Carbon

Water Quality

Wetlands and Habitats

Quantifying Environmental Services

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Overview

Rural Broadband Expansion

Councils and Coalitions

Councils and Coalitions Overview

Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems

Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition

U.S. Food Systems

UN Food Systems Summit

USDA Director and Council

Sustainability Submenus

Conservation

Conservation Overview
USDA recognizes that conservation by farmers, ranchers and forest owners today means thriving and sustainable agriculture for our future.

Land Conservation

Wildlife

Environmental Markets

Environmental Markets Overview
Environmental markets are innovative policy approaches to leverage funding for environmental conservation on private lands.

About the Office of Environmental Markets

Carbon

Water Quality

Wetlands and Habitats

Quantifying Environmental Services

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Overview
USDA embarked on a groundbreaking analysis on the potential benefits of rural broadband infrastructure and emerging on-farm technology.

Rural Broadband Expansion

Councils and Coalitions

Councils and Coalitions Overview
USDA is committed to working with partners and stakeholders toward the sustainability of diverse agricultural and food systems.

Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems

Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition

U.S. Food Systems

UN Food Systems Summit

USDA Director and Council
Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems

Most incorporate the notion that true sustainability must balance economic, social and environmental dimensions.

View Definitions
About Trade and Markets
In a global marketplace, supply and demand in one area of the world can greatly impact the agricultural production in another.
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Trades and Markets Menu

Exporting Goods

Exporting Goods Overview

Exporting Regulations and Policies

Export and Trade Research

Importing Goods

Importing Goods Overview

Importing Regulations and Policies

Import and Trade Research

Policy and Procedures

Policy and Procedures Overview

Meat and Poultry Supply Chain

Web-Based Supply Chain Management

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Interim Field Guides

U.S. Codex Office

Marketing and Trade Assistance

Marketing and Trade Assistance Overview

Trade Data and Price Support

Trade Data and Price Support Overview

Pricing Support

Trades and Markets Submenus

Exporting Goods

Exporting Goods Overview
USDA monitors the export of products from the U.S. through a standard set of regulations and policies

Exporting Regulations and Policies

Export and Trade Research

Importing Goods

Importing Goods Overview
USDA offers import programs to help American agricultural producers compete against the world market.

Importing Regulations and Policies

Import and Trade Research

Policy and Procedures

Policy and Procedures Overview
At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation that will continue to help American agriculture grow.

Meat and Poultry Supply Chain

Web-Based Supply Chain Management

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Interim Field Guides

U.S. Codex Office

Marketing and Trade Assistance

Marketing and Trade Assistance Overview
Marketing assistance programs help farmers, agribusinesses, and state agriculture departments by increasing commodity production.

Trade Data and Price Support

Trade Data and Price Support Overview
At the core of USDA's mission is fostering economic opportunity and innovation that continues to help agriculture grow and thrive in a global economy.

Pricing Support
About USDA
We keep America's farmers and ranchers in business and ensure the nation's meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.
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We provide leadership on food, agriculture, nutrition, and other issues based on public policy, available science, and effective management.

Leadership at USDA
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues.

Our Agency

USDA Agencies

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Working with USDA

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Familiarizing yourself with how USDA operates can help you take advantage of what USDA has to offer.

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Reports and Data Overview
USDA harnesses its data assets to improve decision-making and efficient use of resources, maximize the impact of citizen-facing programs, and provide

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News and information about activities, policies and programs of the Department and its employees.

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The USDA website provides links to other websites to provide additional information regarding policies and best practices.

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About USDA
News
Radio Page
Actuality: Cotton Harvest Pace is Ahead of Average, Behind Last Year

Radio

Actuality: Cotton Harvest Pace is Ahead of Average, Behind Last Year

Date:

Mon, 11/15/2021 - 12:00

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Radio

In This Section

Radio News

Radio Broadcast Num: 17

Radio Remark: USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, has the latest look at the pace of the nation's cotton harvest.

Radio Length: 00:00:57.103

Radio Author: SHO

Radio MP3 File:

Trending News and Updates

Press Release

Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum Sign Joint Fire Memo Ahead of Peak Fire Season, Receive Fire Briefing at Forest Service Fire Desk

May 20, 2025

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Blog

A hamburger, beans and potato salad on a plate

USDA Shares Food Safety Recommendations for Your Potluck

May 20, 2025

Make sure your summer dish is remembered for its flavor, not a foodborne illness. Keep these potluck food safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in mind.

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Press Release

Secretary Rollins Visits Nebraska, Signs Historic SNAP Waiver, Rolls Out Policy Plan to Put Farmers First

May 19, 2025

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Press Release

Secretary Rollins Approves First Ever State Waiver to Restrict Soda and Energy Drinks from Food Stamps in Nebraska

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U.S. Department of Agriculture

Policy and Statements