= United States Department of Agriculture = The '''United States Department of Agriculture''' ('''USDA''') is an executive [[UnitedStates/Departments|department]] of the federal government. It is charged with food safety and protecting natural resources. <> ---- == Composition == The department is led by a '''secretary''' and '''deputy secretary'''. Several '''undersecretaries''' and '''assistant secretaries''' oversee offices and agencies. These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Food Safety''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment''': * [[UnitedStates/ForestService|Forest Service]] These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Rural Development''': * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs''': * ... Most undersecretaries have at least one deputy undersecretary, and there are a small number of assistant secretaries and deputy assistant secretaries. Generally, the USDA does not abbreviate any secretary positions. ---- == History == ---- CategoryRicottone