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What does the Department of Agriculture do?

Data updated January 23, 2025

The Department of Agriculture is an executive branch agency responsible for developing and executing federal policies on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues. Its functions include supporting farmers and ranchers, ensuring food safety, promoting agricultural trade, conserving natural resources and the environment, and addressing hunger both domestically and internationally. It was established in 1862.

Other names and abbreviations for the Department of Agriculture:

  • USDA
In FY 2024,

$203B

was spent by the Dept. of Agriculture
In FY 2024,

3.0%

of federal spending was by the Dept. of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture spent $203 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 3.0% of the $6.8 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked seventh among federal agencies in total spending.

The Department of Agriculture accounted for 3.0% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

10 government agencies accounted for 97.0% of federal spending in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since FY 1980, overall federal spending has risen 193%, while Department of Agriculture spending has increased 50.5%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In FY 2024, the Department of Agriculture accounted for 3.0% of all federal spending, 2.9 percentage points lower than in FY 1980. In the last 10 years, that share has decreased 1.0 point.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Department of Agriculture’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to USDA, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, the Department of Agriculture transferred 26.5% of its total spending to states and local governments.
The chart below outlines all USDA spending.

How did the Department of Agriculture spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government spending isolated to USDA, FY 2024

Federal agencies often contain divisions including bureaus, offices, and subagencies. In FY 2024, the Department of Agriculture's divisions with the highest expenditures were the Food and Nutrition Service, the Forest Service, and the Risk Management Agency.

The Department of Agriculture’s highest-spending division is the Food and Nutrition Service.

USDA spending by division, FY 2024

Who leads the Department of Agriculture?

USDA is headed by the secretary of Agriculture, who is nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and then sworn into office. They are one of the 15 cabinet members who serve at the president's discretion. This appointed position typically ends when the appointee resigns, is replaced, or when a new president takes office and appoints their own cabinet, though some may serve temporarily during transitions between administrations.

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo