The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the development, administration and evaluation of agricultural and rural policies and programs, including income and price support programs, food assistance programs, and nutrition and food safety in the United States.  Agencies within the department also manage loan programs and insurance for farmers and rural development initiatives involving utilities, housing and cooperative business arrangements.

The Department of Agriculture provides economic, statistical information and analysis for public and private sector decisions on agriculture, international trade, food, natural resources and rural America.  The Department also gathers and reports information on current supplies and yield prospects to help growers decide what crops to plant and harvest, which livestock to raise and how much of each to produce.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a Cabinet department of the United States government.  Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming and food.  It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers throughout America, promote agricultural trade and production, and also works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, foster strong rural communities, and fights hunger in America and abroad.