United States Department of Agriculture
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 communities and works to end hunger in the United States and internationally. It is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who has served since February 24, 2021.
Some of the key events about United States Department of Agriculture
- 1862Established the USDA to advance agricultural research and education
- 1862Established the Bureau of Chemistry, which later became the controversial Food and Drug Administration
- 1906Implemented the Pure Food and Drug Act to ensure food safety
- 1914Created the Cooperative Extension System to disseminate agricultural knowledge
- 1920Implemented policies that contributed to the decline of Black-owned farms
- 1933Initiated the Rural Electrification Administration to bring electricity to rural areas
- 1933Initiated agricultural subsidies that critics argue distort markets and favor large agribusinesses
- 1935Launched the Soil Conservation Service to combat soil erosion
- 1939Introduced the food stamp program to assist low-income families
- 1946Established the National School Lunch Program to provide nutritious meals to students
- 1954Introduced school lunch program standards that were criticized for promoting unhealthy eating habits
- 1961Expanded the food stamp program nationwide to combat hunger
- 1969Implemented the Food and Nutrition Service to administer federal nutrition assistance programs
- 1970Approved the use of DDT, a pesticide later banned due to environmental concerns
- 1976Supported tobacco farming despite growing evidence of health risks
- 1992Implemented food pyramid guidelines that were later criticized for promoting excessive carbohydrate consumption
- 1994Reorganized the USDA to improve efficiency and modernize operations
- 2005Faced criticism for inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina's impact on agricultural communities
- 2008Mishandled the investigation of the largest beef recall in U.S. history
- 2019Relocated two research agencies, resulting in significant loss of experienced staff and disrupted research
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.
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