US Department of Agriculture

Established in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln, the US Department of Agriculture has a captivating history. It started as a small bureau. It aimed to address the needs of a largely agrarian nation. Lincoln saw it as the “people’s department”. Over half the country was involved in agriculture. The USDA’s initial focus was on research and development. This included agriculture, rural development, and human nutrition. The first commissioner, Isaac Newton, had a tragic end. He suffered sunstroke while protecting wheat samples on the Mall. He died in 1867 before the first USDA building was completed. The original USDA building, finished in 1868, was on the National Mall. It was a striking red-brick structure designed by Adolf Cluss. It housed a museum, laboratories, and a conservatory. The grounds were a botanical showcase, with gardens, an arboretum, and even an experimental farm. Visitors could explore diverse plants and learn about agriculture’s history. A unique feature was the General Noble Redwood treehouse. This provided views across the Mall. The McMillan Plan drastically changed the USDA’s presence on the Mall. The plan prioritized open space over the existing gardens. The original building, conservatory, and treehouse were removed. The USDA’s museum closed in 1905. Its collection went to the Smithsonian. The USDA has faced controversy. Allegations of discrimination against minority farmers, including African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics, have surfaced. The Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit, a class-action suit by Black farmers, led to a significant settlement in 1999. This acknowledged the USDA’s discriminatory lending practices. Today, the USDA continues its mission. It works to support farmers, ensure food safety, and address food insecurity. It also manages national forests and grasslands. The USDA’s history reflects the changing landscape of American agriculture. It demonstrates a continuous effort to adapt to the nation’s needs.