USDA Science

U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers of every kind are growing older. The average age of farm producers (PDF, 1.8 MB) increased from 56.3 to 57.5 years from 2012 to 2017. As legacy producers retire, our nation needs the next generation of producers to take on the important business of providing...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrates engineers and their significant role in agricultural research, land conservation, and the preservation of our forests, lakes, and grasslands during Engineers Week (February 19-25). Engineers and engineering technicians of all disciplines work with...

Imagine this – an ice cube that is reusable, flexible, and biodegradable. Look no further, that’s exactly what University of California, Davis researchers are developing.

Did you know about 22% of Americans bought flowers last Valentine’s Day, according to industry statistics? That single-day surge added about $2.3 billion to the U.S. economy.

Last month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Certified Organic Survey. The data showed a continued upward trend in the organic industry since 2008, when organic data collection first began.

It may be winter, but it is still possible to access fresh, locally-grown produce. How? With aquaponics. Americans and people living around the world can grow crops year-round in a soilless hydroponic environment regardless of their regions’ climate or season. It also has the added benefit of...

33.8 million – that’s the number of people in the U.S. who lived in food-insecure households in 2021, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. Fortunately, USDA and leaders like Tambra Raye Stevenson are working to tackle nutrition insecurity – especially in underserved communities.

USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is helping ensure that native plants with cultural, historical, medicinal, and edible significance remain available for future generations.

For many families, a Thanksgiving meal would not be the same without the sweet, tart goodness of cranberry dishes. A project funded by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at Oregon State University (OSU) is working to ensure that staple stays on the table.

As we wrap up the harvest season and slide into the holiday season, let's take a moment to thank farmers for our favorite holiday commodities. We also thank farmers for completing their Census of Agriculture and other USDA-NASS surveys that provide data about U.S. agriculture.