The
Secretary of Agriculture heads the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
a federal agency that touches the daily lives of every American and
affects the well-being of millions of people.The
Secretary of Agriculture heads the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
a federal agency that touches the daily lives of every American and
affects the well-being of millions of people.
As The President of the United States’ representative in charge of USDA, the Secretary administers broad programs aimed at maintaining America’s safe, abundant supply of food and fiber. Further, programs under his jurisdiction help combat inflation by enabling American farmers to continue to provide U.S. consumers with the most reasonably priced food in the World.
The Department helps create markets abroad for U.S. farm products, significantly offsetting some of the Nation’s nonagricultural trade deficit. USDA programs additionally help farmers and others to protect and preserve soil and water resources and manage our National forests.
The Secretary administers still other programs which provide valuable food assistance to needy people both in the United States and overseas by raising overall levels of nutrition and standards of living.
Under the Secretary’s direction, USDA’s widespread research into food and fiber production, human nutrition, marketing, and animal disease and pest control, directly or indirectly benefits all Americans.
Most USDA employees work far outside Washington, D.C. They are located in virtually every county in the United States and in many cities. Many are stationed overseas.
The Secretary of Agriculture is nominated to be a Cabinet member by The President and is confirmed by the Senate. USDA was established in 1862, and was raised to Cabinet status in 1889, making it the eighth oldest Executive department in the government.
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