U.S. Department of Agriculture Essay ⋆ Environment Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the government of the United States. It has a multi-pronged mission to maintain an adequate supply of food in the country, promote agricultural research, promote the marketing of American farm products at home and abroad, and seek fair prices for farmers and consumers. The secretary of agriculture, the USDA’s chief operating officer, is a member of the president’s cabinet, and is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. It has been common in the past for presidents to make appointments to the post of agriculture secretary as a reward for farm interests that supported the president’s election; however, the president can ask for the secretary’s resignation at any time. The deputy secretary of agriculture is the secretary’s assistant. In addition, there are two undersecretaries, seven assistant secretaries, an inspector general, and a general council.

Eight Major Groups

The UDSA is organized into eight major groups. The undersecretary for small community and rural development directs the Farmers’ Home Administration, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Rural Electrification Administration. The undersecretary for international affairs and community programs directs the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The assistant secretary for marketing and inspection services directs the Agricultural Cooperative Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Federal Grain Inspection Service, and other agencies. The assistant secretary for natural resources and environment directs the Forest Service and National Resources Conservation Service. The Forest Service manages the cutting of timber on federal lands. The National Resources Conservation Service was formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. The assistant secretary for food and consumer services heads the Food and Nutrition Service and the Human Nutrition Information Service. The assistant secretary for administration directs the Office of Operations and other offices. The assistant secretary for economics supervises the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Economic Research Service. The assistant secretary for science and education directs the Agricultural Research Service and other agencies. In addition, there is an assistant secretary for governmental and public affairs.

Because food is a permanent concern of the U.S. government, Congress and President Abraham Lincoln created an agricultural agency in 1862 with a commissioner at its chief operating officer. In the 1860s, about 60 percent of Americans were farmers. They were in constant need of good seed, information, and other help in order to maximize their productivity. In 1889, Congress elevated the original agency to department level with a secretary in charge. From its beginning, the USDA has worked with land-grant colleges, universities, and others with cooperative programs for agricultural research. It has an extension service covering rural areas, with resident farm agents who aid farmers with information. Educational programs for school children ensure there will be future farmers. Other programs aid college educational programs of students studying agriculture at the undergraduate and graduate level. The USDA serves farmers, ranchers, and the public through its programs in a variety of ways that go beyond just farming. As crop yields increased from the use of improved farming methods, the USDA expanded its activities to marketing the growing farm surplus at home and abroad.

The work of the USDA from its beginning has also promoted the adoption of new crops. The USDA encouraged soybean production early on, which has become a very important crop.

The sale of American rice, corn, wheat, soybeans, beef, and other products is promoted by the USDA’s open markets program. It also seeks ways to encourage the consumption of all American foodstuffs to the world. The meat, poultry, and egg supplies consumed by Americans are delivered safely because of the USDA’s vast inspection programs. It seeks to protect consumers from animal diseases that could affect humans such as foot and mouth disease, mad cow disease, or bird influenza. It also inspects grain supplies to prevent the sale and consumption of grains with diseases that could be harmful to human or animals.

The poor in America are aided by the USDA’s participation in federal anti-hunger programs. These programs include Food Stamps, School Lunches, School Breakfasts, and WIC. USDA research also encourages proper nutrition, investing millions into nutrition research. It has developed and continues to modify its nutrition food pyramid. Because rural areas have often been impoverished, the UDSA has promoted rural housing, rural electrification, and supplies of safe drinking water. A number of programs focus on aiding the development of rural infrastructure. The Housing and Community Facilities Programs (HCFP) promote rural development. The Department also plays a very important role in the delivery of food aid to millions of people globally.

The USDA is also a steward of about 200 million acres of national forests and rangelands, providing the opportunity to encourage conservation and promote wildlife. The USDA is also America’s largest conservation agency. It promotes environmental projects on vast areas of privately owned lands by encouraging the protection of soil, water supplies, and wildlife.

The research activities of the USDA extend to increase yields using less water and pesticides. It also encourages the development of new strains of seed that are resistant to emerging diseases. Other environmental protection activities of the USDA include dealing with the impact of animal waste, nutrients in water supplies that promote the growth of algae, pesticide runoff onto wetlands, and the development of wildlife habitat. The department’s resource economists engage in a wide range of studies that seek answers to the best stewardship techniques for resource management. The laws administered by the USDA cover a wide range of subjects. These include environmental and conservation regulations; food production, safety, and distribution; foods marketing at home and abroad; and responses to natural disasters affecting crops or to terrorist threats to food supplies.

Bibliography:

Mike Espy, Reinventing the U.S. Department of Agriculture: 1994 Annual Report of the Secretary of Agriculture (DIANE Publishing Company, 1998);
Albert Gore, Department of Agriculture: Accompanying Report of the National Performance Review (United States Government Printing Office, 1993);
National Research Council, Investing in the National Research Initiative: An Update of the Competitive Grants Program in the S. Department of Agriculture (National Academies Press, 1995);
W.D. Rasmussen and Gladys L. Baker, The Department of Agriculture (Praeger, 1972);
Maxine Rosaler, Department of Agriculture (Rosen Publishing Group, 2005).