The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal agency with a wide range of responsibilities relating to farming, ranching and forestry. Established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, it is one of the oldest cabinet departments in the U.S. and is responsible for administering national policies on agriculture, food, nutrition, and natural resources.

The USDA's mission is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on the best available science and sound policy development that serves all Americans. To do so, the department carries out critical work in areas such as food safety and inspection, nutrition assistance, agricultural research and development, environmental conservation, natural resource management, rural economic development, and international trade.

The USDA is frequently engaged in administrating several social welfare programs designed to provide nutrition assistance and food supply programs to vulnerable populations, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and other programs for school meals. The USDA also administers the Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to set aside environmentally sensitive land by planting cover crops, grasses, and trees.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) monitors pests and diseases and promotes animal health and welfare. Other divisions of the USDA such as the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) help farmers and producers get the most out of their products by providing market analysis and a variety of services, including standards development and certification, market news and analysis, research and promotion, and regulatory programs.

The USDA also works to promote the safe, responsible and sustainable production and use of food, animal and agricultural products. The agency has regulatory oversight of food and animal product labeling, quality control of imported food, nutrition labeling and advertising guidelines, and food industry and product-specific inspections. The USDA also works to ensure a safe, abundant and nutritious food supply for all and is an active participant in the development of national food safety standards and the implementation of food safety protocol.

With such a large scope of responsibility, the USDA requires the dedication of hundreds of thousands of workers who ensure that the mission of the department is fulfilled day in and day out. These professionals are working to ensure that all Americans have access to a safe, nutritious and abundant food supply that is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. The USDA's many programs, services, and initiatives contribute significantly to the health, safety and well-being of the American people.