Usda

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The federal agency in the United States responsible for developing and executing policies related to agriculture, food, rural development, and nutrition
2. An organization that oversees the promotion of farming practices, food safety regulations, and the welfare of rural communities in the U.S
3. A governmental department focused on ensuring a stable and safe food supply, supporting farmers, and enhancing the quality of rural life across America

Etymology: Abraham Lincoln called the agency "the People's Department" when he signed the act creating it on May 15, 1862, in the middle of the Civil War. It began without a seat in the cabinet and was not elevated to cabinet rank until 1889. This name is an initialism, not a word built from older roots. It stands for "United States Department of Agriculture," with each letter spoken separately as "U-S-D-A."

Synonyms: United States Department of Agriculture, agriculture department, US agriculture agency