U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

What does the US Department of Agriculture USDA do? ›

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

These scammers try to pressure customers into giving them money or personal information. Scam callers can fake or “spoof” the caller identification (ID) on your phone, making it seem the call is legitimate. A USDA caller ID number appearing on your phone does NOT mean the person calling you is actually a USDA employee.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The USDA is responsible for overseeing farming, ranching, and forestry industries, as well as regulating aspects of food quality and safety and nutrition labeling. The USDA is further tasked with administering several social welfare programs including free school lunches and food stamps.

USDA is responsible for regulating meat and poultry, processed egg products, and catfish, whereas the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees food safety for fresh eggs and almost all other foods.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, fosters rural ...

BACKGROUND: USDA programs are funded through the annual Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) appropriations bill. USDA-RD operates a broad range of programs vital to rural counties and the communities we serve.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.

USDA regulations protect and promote U.S. agricultural health, administer the Animal Welfare Act, carry out wildlife damage management activities, and ensure that America's agricultural exports are protected from unjustified trade restrictions.

What is USDA benefits? ›

The CalHFA USDA Program is a USDA Guaranteed first mortgage loan program, which can be combined with the MyHome Assistance Program (MyHome). The MyHome and School Program can be used for down payment and closing cost assistance and are for first-time homebuyers only.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) mission is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has authority to conduct employee misconduct and criminal investigations as well as authority to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in USDA programs.

Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation's 30th Secretary of Agriculture. ecord conservation efforts, made record investments in our rural communities and helped provide a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for the merican people.

From the inspection of domestic product, imports, and exports; conducting risk assessments; and educating the public about the importance of food safety, USDA is there.

According to a USDA news release, “the ag census is the nation's only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory.” The census collects detailed information on land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income, expenditures, labor, and other topics.

USDA loans offer a range of benefits, from a $0 down payment to relaxed credit requirements, that can make homeownership more accessible and affordable for individuals and families in designated rural areas.

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.