Department+of+Agriculture

Leadership

Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development : Cheryl Cook

Mission

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.


 * // Vision //**// : We want to be recognized as a dynamic organization that is able to efficiently provide the integrated program delivery needed to lead a rapidly evolving food and agriculture system. //

On May 15, 1862 Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Agricultural Act that established the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By 1865 imported animals had long been identified to be a source of diseased livestock, prompting the USDA Secretary to pressure Congress to pass an act providing quarantine of imported animals. In 1884 the President signed an act that established the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) within the USDA to prevent diseased animals from being used in food and food products.
 * History**

“FY 2009 Budget Outlays”

Total: 95 Billion dollars

Rural Development- 3% Research, Inspection, Administration- 6% Nutrition Assistance- 63% Conservation and Forestry- 11% International 2% Farm and Commodity Programs 15%

Articles:

**Swine flu: Eating pork is fine, says USDA** The USDA released a statement letting everyone know that it is still okay to eat pork even with the swine flu going around. As long as the pork is cooked at the proper temperature, there is no fear of getting the swine flu because it is an airborne illness. [] In this article, the USDA answers common questions about the swine flu. It releases common facts so people can get the basic information about the swine flu. This article also contains information of the dos and don’ts of swine flu. It even discusses protecting your own pigs and says that the swine flu has not been found in pigs as of yet.
 * || ** FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT H1N1 ** ||

**Southlake Takes Precautions** This article is up to date with the current US outbreak of Swine Flu in the south. There are interviews with professionals and doctors as well as important info from the USDA. []

Tom Vilsack, the Department of Agriculture Secretary, announced that 56 communities in 34 states have been selected to receive $144.3 million of loans and grants to improve water quality and availability. This was announced on Earth Day because Vilsack thought this was the perfect day to make the announcement. The USDA is funding water and wastewater infrastructure projects in many local communities across the country to protect the environment and improve the health of rural families. The complete list of the loan and grant recipients is available at [|http://www.rurdev.usda.gov] -From the USDA Official Website    Department of Agricutlure Secretary tom Vilsack made the announcement that 20 organizations in 15 states were selected to receive $12.7 million in loans to help spur economic development and create or save nearly 2,000 jobs. These loans are made through USDA Rural Development’s Intermediary Relending Program, and they are provided to community development or regional planning groups who re-lend them to local businesses. The loans must be used to start new businesses or expand existing businesses to create or retain jobs. - From the USDA Official Website This article is about how rural economies in the 21st century will be shaped by demographic change, industrial restructuring, and national economic trends, because rural economies are no longer tied closely to farm policies. Unlike the 1950’s, less than 10% of rural people today live on a farm, and only 14% of the rural workforce is employed in farming. These changing demographics will suggest different policy needs for rural populations. These policies will focus on several different things, including stimulating economic and community growth to help address problems associated with population and employment decline. Another focus will be improving wages and the standard of living.
 * USDA Celebrates Earth Day By Awarding $144.3 Million For Rural Infrastructure Projects **
 * __USDA Announces $12.7 Million in Economic Development Funding__ **
 * Policy Options for a Changing Rural America **
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