- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF1000) Advanced Core Cluster: agricultural business Management (CLF1850) Unit Title: Government Agencies and Services ______________________________________________________________________________ (CLF1852) United States DEPARTMENT Time Year(s) OF Agriculture 1 Hour 3 / 4 ______________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to: Learning Outcomes: (D-2) List the major objectives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Special Materials and Equipment: References: Terrell, John. (1966). THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: A STORY OF FOOD FARMS AND FORESTS. New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce. Evaluation: TOPIC PRESENTATION: United States Department of Agriculture A. USDA History 1. The USDA was established under President Lincoln in 1862. 2. It is administered by an appointed Commissioner of Agriculture. B. Mission of the USDA 1. "To supply the United States and others with abundant food and fiber at reasonable prices and with assured quality." C. Major Objectives of the USDA 1. Provide services, regulations, and research needed to modernize the entire farm marketing system 2. Maintain statistical services to gather, analyze, and interpret prices and problems and provide information 3. Administer programs designed to safeguard the nation's natural resources such as soil, water, ranges, and forests 4. Direct programs to strengthen the economic position of producers 5. Provide credit programs to help farmers improve their living conditions 6. Improve the diets of Americans through research and plentiful food availability 7. Direct extension and information services 8. Assist U.S. farmers in developing foreign markets for their products 9. Support rural development and employment 10. Establish import standards for food 11. Carry out congressional action related to agriculture D. Major Agencies of the USDA 1. Agriculture Research Service a. Conducts research in production and utilization of agricultural products b. Administers control and regulatory programs closely related to the above research 2. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service a. Price support and production adjustment programs b. Conservation and land-use assistance c. Management of inventory of the Commodity Credit Corporation d. Disaster relief e. Administration of the International Sugar Agreement 3. Commodity Credit Corporation a. Finances price support and stabilization programs b. Administers distribution commodities for export programs and for domestic assistance programs c. Utilizes personnel of ASCS for its operations 4. Commodity Exchange Authority a. Regulates trading and pricing on certain commodity exchanges 5. Consumer Marketing Service a. Consumer protection, regulatory, and related programs b. Market News Service c. Inspection and grading programs d. Licensing and bonding of warehouses 6. Cooperative State Research Service a. Administers federal grant funds for agricultural research 7. Economic Research Service a. Research in foreign and domestic agricultural economics and marketing 8. Export Marketing Service a. Administers major export programs 9. Cooperative Extension Service a. Liaison between agricultural research and the producer b. Offices in most counties of the U.S. 10. Farmers' Cooperative Service a. Technical advisory service in management of agricultural cooperatives 11. Farmer's Home Administration a. Provides loans for operation, ownership, conservation, housing, and disaster/emergency relief b. Lender of last resort 12. Federal Crop Insurance Corporation a. Insures farmers against crop failures 13. Food and Nutrition Service a. Food Stamps b. National School Lunch Program c. Commodity Distribution 14. Foreign Agricultural Service a. Export promotion services 15. Foreign Economic Development Service a. Foreign agricultural assistance and training 16. National Agricultural Library a. Provides services to colleges, universities, research institutions, government agencies, agricultural associations, industry, scientists, farmers, and the general public 17. Office of General Counsel a. Does the legal work of the USDA 18. Office of the Inspector General a. Conducts audit and investigative activities 19. Packers and Stockyards Administration a. Administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 20. Rural Elecrification Administration a. Provides loan programs for rural electrification and telephone service 21. Soil Conservation Service a. Carries out national soil and water conservation programs b. Offices in each county or local district in the U.S. 22. Statistical Reporting Service a. Makes estimates and reports on the economic aspects of the agriculture industry 23. Rural Development Service a. Coordinates and plans rural development programs b. Handles revenue for this development 24. Animal and Plant Health Service a. Regulates and controls programs related to diseases and pests of animals and plants _________________________________________________________________ Activity: 1. Have the class break up into small groups and assign each group a specific commodity to produce. Then have the groups make a list of all the agencies of the USDA that might affect their commodity. The groups should briefly share their lists with the class and explain why they feel the agencies would affect them. _________________________________________________________________ 11/26/91 MH/ch #%&C