U.S. Department of Agriculture

Main website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/ 

Established: 1939

Mission: "Administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops" and "provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country."

Additional AMS information and resources:

Main website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/

Established: 1972

Mission: "Protecting the health, welfare, and value of our Nation’s plants, animals, and natural resources."

Strategic Plan: Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2023–2027

Additional APHIS information and resources: 

Main website: https://www.ars.usda.gov/

Established: 1953

Mission: "Deliver scientific solutions to national and global agricultural challenges."

Vision: "Global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence."

Additional ARS information and resources:

Main website: https://www.ers.usda.gov/

Established: 1961

Mission: "To anticipate trends and emerging issues in agriculture, food, the environment, and rural America and to conduct high-quality, objective economic research to inform and enhance public and private decision making."

Strategic Plan: See the Strategic Plan FY2021–2025 and prior ones.

Additional ERS information and resources:

Main website: https://fas.usda.gov/

Established: 1953

Mission: "FAS is a trade agency that promotes U.S. agricultural exports."

Vision: "A diverse, inclusive, and effective trade agency that positions U.S. agriculture to prosper in the global marketplace."

Strategic Plan: Strategic Plan FY2023–2027

Additional FAS information and resources: 

Main website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/

Established: 1969

Mission: "To increase food security and reduce hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthy diet and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence."

Additional FNS information and resources:

Main website: https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov

Established: 2018

Mission: "Provides mission support across 15 business lines, such as budgeting, civil rights, and human resources, for FSA, NRCS, and RMA."

Additional FPAC information and resources: 

Main website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/

Established: 1905

Mission: "To to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations."

Motto: "Caring for the land and Serving People.

Additional FS information and resources:

Main website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

Established: 1933 (originally Agricultural Adjustment Administration) and later its current state since 1996 (after a series of USDA reorganizations)

Mission: "Equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans."

Values: Strong ethics, customer service, team work, inclusive decision-making, and fiscal responsibility.

Additional FSA information and resources: 

Main website: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/  

Established: 1862 (a predecessor, Division of Chemistry) and later became FSIS in 1981 (after a series of USDA reorganizations)

Mission: "To protect public health by preventing illness from meat, poultry, and egg products."

Strategic Plan: 2023-2026 Strategic Plan (see previous strategic plans)

Additional FSIS information and resources: 

Main website: https://www.nass.usda.gov/

Established: 1863 (predecessor as the Division of Statistics) and later in 1961 (known as the Statistical Reporting Service)

Mission: "Provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture."

Values: Trust, Credibility, Objectivity, Relevance, Commitment

Additional NASS information and resources: 

Main Website: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/ 

Established: 2008 (Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008)

Mission: "Invest in and advance agricultural research, education and extension to solve societal challenges."

Vision: "Catalyze transformative discoveries, education and engagement to address agricultural challenges."

Additional NIFA information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Established: 1935 as Soil Conservation Service (Public Law 74–46) and renamed NRCS in 1994.

Mission: "We deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world."

Vision: "A world of clean and abundant water, healthy soils, resilient landscapes, and thriving agricultural communities through voluntary conservation."

Additional NRCS information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-business-cooperative-service

Established: 1994 (Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reauthorization Act of 1994).

About: RBCS works with partners to provide financial assistance, business development, and technical assistance to rural businesses. RBCS helps to provide capital, equipment, space, and job training that help rural businesses.

Additional RBCS information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

Established: 1935 (as the Rural Electrification Administration) and later in 1994 as its current form (Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reauthorization Act of 1994)

Priorities: addressing climate change and environmental justice; advancing racial justice, place-based equity, and opportunity; and creating more and better market opportunities 

Additional RD information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-housing-service

Established: 1994 (Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reauthorization Act of 1994).

About: RHS offers financing to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas for single and multi-family housing, childcare centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, schools, and much more.

Additional RHS information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.rma.usda.gov/

Established: 1996

Mission: "Serving America’s agricultural producers through effective, market-based risk management tools to strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities."

Vision: "Securing the future of agriculture by providing world class risk management tools to rural America."

Additional RMA information and resources:

Main Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-utilities-service

Established: 1994 (Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reauthorization Act of 1994).

About: RUS provides financing to build or improve water and waste treatment, electric power, and telecommunications infrastructure in rural communities. These services help expand economic opportunities and improve quality of life for rural residents.

Additional RUS information and resources: