How the Agriculture Secretary is Revolutionizing Food Production and Nutrition to Ensure Healthy Diets for Millions

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln established the Department of Agriculture, calling it “the people’s department.” At that time, about half of Americans lived on farms. Today, fewer than 2% of the population farms, but the USDA still plays a key role in many aspects of everyday life.

The USDA has a huge budget of $231 billion each year. While its main office is in Washington, D.C., most of its employees—about 90%—work out in local offices across the country. Others are stationed in nearly 100 embassies worldwide, promoting American food and farm products.

Many people think the USDA mainly supports farmers and looks after farmland. While those are important tasks, they’re only part of what the department does. It plays a vital role in food nutrition, helping millions of Americans tackle food insecurity every year. In fact, nutrition assistance programs consume about 70% to 80% of the USDA’s budget, which includes school meals and support for low-income families. Only around 13% goes directly to farm and conservation activities.

The USDA also serves as a lifeline for rural communities. It helps small towns develop essential services like broadband access, water systems, and even funding for facilities like libraries and hospitals. In towns with fewer than 35,000 residents, the USDA can assist with affordable housing projects.

One of my favorite initiatives is the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. It helps local businesses secure financing to improve operations or expand, providing loan guarantees that minimize risk for lenders.

The USDA comprises 17 different agencies, each focusing on various issues, from food safety to rural development. The U.S. Forest Service, the largest agency within the USDA, employs around 33,000 people and manages national forests while conducting research on wildlife and forest health. Originally focused on timber production, it now also emphasizes wildlife preservation and recreational spaces.

Firefighting is another major responsibility for the Forest Service, with about 10,000 employees dedicated to battling wildfires. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of these fires, this has become a year-round job rather than a seasonal one.

Every five years, Congress works on a significant piece of legislation known as the farm bill, which guides about $662 billion in spending and influences around 70% of the USDA’s activities. The last farm bill was signed into law in 2018, so a new version is urgently needed. The recent American Relief Act included emergency funding and an extension of the current farm bill laws, but upcoming debates will focus on issues like funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), crucial for many low-income families.

SNAP may face budget cuts in Congress, particularly during budget reconciliation sessions, where decisions can be made with a simple majority vote. This process could enable significant changes to or cuts in the program without intense debate.

Another topic of discussion is the USDA’s ability to borrow up to $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury through the Commodity Credit Corporation. This funding is meant to stabilize farm incomes but has also been used for various purposes over the years, earning the nickname “slush fund” from critics.

The department’s direction could change significantly under new leadership. Some proposals suggest narrowing its focus exclusively to food production. This might involve slashing other vital programs like conservation and nutrition assistance, creating challenges for the incoming secretary to balance interests.

The USDA faces ongoing challenges, including outbreaks of avian flu affecting poultry and dairy. The rising cost of food also puts pressure on the department, especially after inflation has driven prices higher than usual.

In the context of these challenges, figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could influence the USDA’s future direction. His criticisms of large corporate food producers and calls for healthier food policies may resonate with the current administration’s aims.