Welcome to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a diverse and complex organization with programs that touch the lives of all Americans every day. More than 100,000 employees deliver more than $75 billion in public services through USDA's more than 300 programs worldwide, leveraging an extensive network of Federal, State and local cooperators.

Founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, when more than half of the Nation's population lived and worked on farms, USDA's role has evolved with the economy. Today, USDA improves the Nation's economy and quality of life by:

Addressing these timeless concerns in the modern era presents its share of challenges. America's food and fiber producers operate in a global, technologically advanced, rapidly diversifying and highly competitive
business environment that is driven by sophisticated consumers.

You are now a very important member of a group of people pledged to protect American Agriculture. Only through the dedicated efforts of employees like yourself can this mission be accomplished. Managers and supervisors know from experience that the most rewarding use of their time is working with their most important resource - you, the employee. Managers and supervisors, through orientation, training and other programs, want to help you achieve your career goals while, at the same time, accomplishing the USDA mission.