United States Department of Agriculture

Historical Overview:

• Established in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln.
• Isaac Newton appointed as the first commissioner.
• Department granted cabinet-level status in 1889.
• Key legislation like the Hatch Act of 1887 and Smith-Lever Act of 1914 provided federal funding for agricultural programs.
• Evolution from an agrarian-focused institution within the Patent Office to a fully-fledged department in Washington, D.C.
• New Deal era enhancements including the creation of the Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates and the Agricultural experiment station system.

Programs and Services:

• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) receives 80% of USDA budget.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a major component of FNS.
• USDA assists farmers and food producers in domestic and international markets.
• Collaboration with organizations like the World Cocoa Foundation for aid programs.
• USDA’s role in ending hunger in the U.S. and globally.
• Various services and initiatives supporting nutrition research, outreach, and equity-focused programs.

Leadership and Modern Times:

• Tom Vilsack serves as the Secretary of Agriculture.
• Xochitl Torres Small is the Deputy Secretary.
• Recent initiatives including a $4.7 billion farm aid package, a $1 billion climate-friendly agricultural practices program, and a $1.3 billion debt relief program.
• Allocation of funds to aid farmers with high-risk operations.
• USDA’s organizational structure and staff levels for FY2023.
• Ongoing efforts to adapt to contemporary challenges and support agricultural sustainability.

Legal Actions and Discrimination:

• Black farmers’ protests and lawsuits against USDA discrimination.
• Historic legal cases like Pigford v. Glickman, Keepseagle v. Vilsack, Garcia v. Vilsack, and Love v. Vilsack addressing discrimination and providing compensation.
• USDA’s efforts to address discrimination against various minority groups within its programs.
• Emphasis on promoting justice and equality in agricultural assistance.

Environmental Justice and Community Initiatives:

• USDA’s integration of environmental justice into its core mission.
• Focus on rural communities, Indigenous Tribes, and equity-focused programs.
• President Clinton’s Executive Order 12898 mandating EJ in federal agencies’ missions.
• USDA’s initiatives like the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program, Risk Management Agency Initiatives, Rural Utilities Service Programs, and Urban Field Stations by USFS.
• Efforts to address disparities, promote sustainability, and improve access to essential services in underserved communities.

United States Department of Agriculture Data Sources