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In 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln founded the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he called it the "people's Department." In Lincoln's day, 58 percent of the people were farmers who needed good seeds and information to grow their crops. Today, USDA continues Lincoln's legacy by serving all Americans. USDA remains committed to helping America's farmers and ranchers.
USDA also has a variety of other responsibilities. USDA leads the Federal anti-hunger effort with the Food Stamp, School Lunch, School Breakfast, and the WIC Programs. USDA is the steward of our nation's 192 million acres of national forests and rangelands. USDA is the country's largest conservation agency, encouraging voluntary efforts to protect soil, water, and wildlife on the 70 percent of America's lands that are in private hands. USDA brings housing, modern telecommunications, and safe drinking water to rural America. USDA is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products. USDA is a research leader in everything from human nutrition to new crop technologies that allow us to grow more food and fiber using less water and pesticides. USDA helps ensure open markets for U.S. agricultural products and provides food aid to needy people overseas.
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In 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln founded the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he called it the "people's Department." In Lincoln's day, 48 percent of the people were farmers who needed good seeds and information to grow their crops. Today, USDA continues Lincoln's legacy by serving all Americans. USDA remains committed to helping America's farmers and ranchers.
However, the department has expanded to other duties:
USDA contributes to the US Federal anti-hunger effort with the Food Stamp, School Lunch, School Breakfast, and the WIC Programs.
USDA is the steward of the United States' 192 million acres of national forests and rangelands.
USDA is the country's largest conservation agency, encouraging voluntary efforts to protect soil, water, and wildlife on the 70 percent of America's lands that are in private hands.
USDA brings housing, modern telecommunications, and safe drinking water to rural America.
USDA is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products.
USDA is a research leader in everything from human nutrition to new crop technologies that allow us to grow more food and fiber using less water and pesticides.
USDA helps ensure open markets for U.S. agricultural products and provides food aid to needy people overseas.
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Ann M. Veneman was sworn in as the 27th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on January 20, 2001. Her lifelong commitment to food and farm issues, along with her bipartisan approach to solving problems and confronting new challenges, are reasons that explain why she was chosen by President George W. Bush to serve in his Cabinet and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Growing up on a family farm in a small rural community, Ann Veneman understands well the issues important to America's farmers and ranchers. She has spent much of her career dedicated to food and agriculture issues and advancing sound U.S. farm and food policies.
President Bush has often said that the spirit of the American farmer is emblematic of the spirit of America, signifying the values of hard work, faith and entrepreneurship. Secretary Veneman believes strongly in these principles and since taking office, has worked to foster economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers, ensure a safe and wholesome food supply, protect agriculture against pests and diseases, encourage conservation and environmental stewardship, invest in rural communities, and support the next generation of agricultural leaders through new educational opportunities.
Secretary Veneman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the USDA. She is no stranger to managing the complexity of a large government agency and working with the Congress. Her management style encourages teamwork, innovation, and mutual respect in forging common sense solutions to issues facing American agriculture.
From 1991 to 1993, Veneman served as USDA's Deputy Secretary, the Department's second-highest position. She also served as Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs from 1989 to 1991. Veneman joined the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in 1986 and served as Associate Administrator until 1989. From 1995 to 1999, Veneman served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), managing agricultural programs and services for the nation's largest and most diverse agricultural producing state.
Secretary Veneman's extensive background and experience has been valuable since taking office as American agriculture has confronted critical issues such as new farm policy, international trade, homeland security, environmental stewardship and food safety.
Within months of taking office, Secretary Veneman released the Bush Administration's vision for American agriculture through the publication of Food and Agricultural Policy: Taking Stock for the New Century. This publication outlines the Administration's priorities for farm sector policy, trade expansion, infrastructure enhancement, conservation and the environment, rural communities, nutrition and food assistance, and USDA program integration. The report, available on USDA's website at www.usda.gov/farmpolicy/farmpolicy.htm has received widespread praise for its candor and forward-looking vision.
Secretary Veneman has played a key role in eliminating trade barriers and expanding opportunities for American farmers through new export markets. She has worked closely with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, helping lead to the successful launch of a new round of trade negotiations for the World Trade Organization.
Following a devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease in parts of Europe and the tragic events of September 11th, Secretary Veneman and her team acted swiftly to respond to potential threats and continues working to strengthen USDA's protection systems. The Secretary has been an advocate for strong pest and disease, food safety and research programs to ensure U.S. agriculture and consumers have a safe, wholesome food supply and the infrastructure to protect it.
Secretary Veneman has been a strong advocate of agriculture education and established the "Leaders of Tomorrow" initiative to strengthen USDA education programs, particularly those involved with mentoring young adults.
The Secretary earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Davis, a master's degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a juris doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. In a personal capacity, she serves as a board member of the Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan civic education organization.
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Jim Moseley was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman on July 17, 2001.
As the Deputy Secretary, Moseley oversees the day-to-day activities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one of the largest and most diverse departments in the federal government. USDA's mission includes the management of traditional farm programs, private lands conservation, domestic food assistance, agriculture research and education, agricultural marketing, international trade, meat and poultry inspection, forestry, and rural development programs.
Prior to this appointment, Moseley, an Indiana farmer with 32 years of hands-on farm experience, was the owner of Ag Ridge Farms, which specializes in grains, and managing partner of Infinity Pork, LLC, which raises hogs. Both are located in Clarks Hill, Ind.
Moseley has played a key role in developing public policy for agriculture, the environment, and natural resources conservation at the state and national levels. From 1989-1990, he served as agricultural advisor to the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Moseley previously served at USDA as the Assistant Secretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment from 1990-1992. In this capacity, he provided leadership to the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a variety of issues including endangered species, old growth forests, livestock grazing on public lands, wetlands, and policy issues related to the conservation title of the 1990 Farm Bill.
In 1997, he served as chairman of the industry negotiating team for America's Clean Water Foundation's National Environmental Dialogue on Pork Production. Following the 1995 Farm Bill, Moseley served as a consultant to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, where he worked with producers and NRCS to develop model resource management plans for farmers and ranchers
From 1993 to 1995, Moseley served as the director of agricultural services and regulations for the State of Indiana at Purdue University. He also served as a political analyst and member of the editorial board of the Farm Journal Publications. Moseley has held membership in numerous professional and academic organizations and has received many awards and honors. In recognition of his service and commitment to agriculture, he was voted the National Outstanding Young Farmer of America for 1982.
Moseley was born in Peru, Ind. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
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1. This page includes public domain content sourced from the United States Department of Agriculture website at http://www.usda.gov/, including some content which has been edited.
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