United States Department of Agriculture

department of the US government

The United States Department of Agriculture (also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA) is a United States Federal Executive Department (or Cabinet Department). Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture, and food.

United States Department of Agriculture
Seal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Logo of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Flag of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agency overview
FormedMay 15, 1862; 162 years ago (1862-05-15)
Cabinet status: February 15, 1889
Preceding agency
  • Agricultural Division
JurisdictionU.S. federal government
HeadquartersJamie L. Whitten Building
1301 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
38°53′17″N 77°1′48″W / 38.88806°N 77.03000°W / 38.88806; -77.03000
Employees105,778 (June 2007)
Annual budgetUS$151 billion (2017)
Agency executives
WebsiteUSDA.gov