The Responsibilities and Authority of the Secretary of Agriculture
Dennis AuBuchon
November 24, 2009
The mission statement of the Department of Agriculture is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. In this respect there is some connection to the Food and Drug Administration which is under the Department of Health and Human Services. Below are is a list of the Department of Agriculture, the responsibilities and some comments, if any, about their assigned responsibilities and the impact on American citizens.
Agricultural Marketing Service - This agency is the strategic marketing of agricultural products in domestic and international markets while ensuring fair trading practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. This agency constantly works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction.
Agricultural Research Service - ARS is USDA's principal in-house research agency. ARS leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - APHIS provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. The agency improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness and contributes to the national economy and the public health.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion - CNPP works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - In partnership with land-grant universities, and other public and private organizations, NIFA provides the focus to advance a global system of extramural research, extension, and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences
Economic Research Service - ERS is USDA's principal social science research agency. Each year, ERS communicates research results and socioeconomic indicators via briefings, analyses for policymakers and their staffs, market analysis updates, and major reports.
Farm Service Agency - The Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.
Food and Nutrition Service - FNS increases food security and reduces 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.
Food Safety and Inspection Service - FSIS enhances public health and well-being by protecting the public from food borne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged.
Foreign Agricultural Service - FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. This USDA agency operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.
Forest Service - FS sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration - GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products. It also promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive markets for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade practices.
National Agricultural Library - NAL ensures and enhances access to agricultural information for a better quality of life.
National Agricultural Statistics Service - NASS serves the basic agricultural and rural data needs of the country by providing objective, important and accurate statistical information and services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and public officials. This data is vital to monitoring the ever-changing agricultural sector and carrying out farm policy.
Natural Resources Conservation Services - NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.
Risk Management Agency - RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture.
Rural Development - RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. RD targets communities in need and then empowers them with financial and technical resources.
Below is a list of the offices under the Department of Agriculture.
Departmental Administration
National Appeals Division
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Office of the Chief Economist
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Office of Communications
Office of Congressional Relations
Office of the Executive Secretariat
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the General Counsel
The information provided in this article helps to bring about some understanding of the function and organizational structure of the Department of Agriculture. It is not unlike other departments and agencies in having a broad list of responsibilities. Some areas surprised me in that I did not realize they fell under the jurisdiction of this department. One such area is the responsibility for maintaining our forests. The food and inspection service is an important function of this department and can affect the health of countless Americans if not properly accomplished with adequate resources and funding. Funding is a hot topic these days but maintaining the safety of our food through inspections is important.
Agricultural Marketing Service - This agency is the strategic marketing of agricultural products in domestic and international markets while ensuring fair trading practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. This agency constantly works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction.
Agricultural Research Service - ARS is USDA's principal in-house research agency. ARS leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - APHIS provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. The agency improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness and contributes to the national economy and the public health.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion - CNPP works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - In partnership with land-grant universities, and other public and private organizations, NIFA provides the focus to advance a global system of extramural research, extension, and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences
Economic Research Service - ERS is USDA's principal social science research agency. Each year, ERS communicates research results and socioeconomic indicators via briefings, analyses for policymakers and their staffs, market analysis updates, and major reports.
Farm Service Agency - The Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.
Food and Nutrition Service - FNS increases food security and reduces 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.
Food Safety and Inspection Service - FSIS enhances public health and well-being by protecting the public from food borne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged.
Foreign Agricultural Service - FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. This USDA agency operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.
Forest Service - FS sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration - GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products. It also promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive markets for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade practices.
National Agricultural Library - NAL ensures and enhances access to agricultural information for a better quality of life.
National Agricultural Statistics Service - NASS serves the basic agricultural and rural data needs of the country by providing objective, important and accurate statistical information and services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and public officials. This data is vital to monitoring the ever-changing agricultural sector and carrying out farm policy.
Natural Resources Conservation Services - NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.
Risk Management Agency - RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture.
Rural Development - RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. RD targets communities in need and then empowers them with financial and technical resources.
Below is a list of the offices under the Department of Agriculture.
Departmental Administration
National Appeals Division
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Office of the Chief Economist
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Office of Communications
Office of Congressional Relations
Office of the Executive Secretariat
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the General Counsel
The information provided in this article helps to bring about some understanding of the function and organizational structure of the Department of Agriculture. It is not unlike other departments and agencies in having a broad list of responsibilities. Some areas surprised me in that I did not realize they fell under the jurisdiction of this department. One such area is the responsibility for maintaining our forests. The food and inspection service is an important function of this department and can affect the health of countless Americans if not properly accomplished with adequate resources and funding. Funding is a hot topic these days but maintaining the safety of our food through inspections is important.
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