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USDA Celebrates 150 Years of Service
Did you know President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to create the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 150 years ago in the midst of the Civil War?
Two months later, in July 1862, President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, legislation that established the land-grant agricultural university system.
Through the 19th century, seed distribution was USDA's single largest activity. By 1897, the Department had distributed 1.1 billion packets of seed.
During the Great Depression of 1929-1936, the Department helped bring an end to the Dust Bowl by promoting soil conservation. Through two World Wars, the Victory Garden Program fed troops and families around the world. The USDA also worked to bring electric power to rural communities, establish the School Lunch Programs, implement our nation's food safety regulations and protect our forests and private lands.
USDA continues to advance Lincoln's legacy. The Department supports the growth and continued success of American agriculture at home and abroad, drive economic growth, conduct groundbreaking research, conserve natural resources, promote healthy families and build stronger communities and a stronger nation. In the years to come, USDA will continue to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America, and to help provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world.
Throughout 2012, USDA will continue to recognize important events such as President Lincoln's signing of the Act establishing the Department.
To learn more about the 150th anniversary celebration, please visit this webpage.
To fully understand President Lincoln's agricultural legacy, view this webpage.
To receive interesting facts about USDA's 150 years, subscribe to the 150th factoids.
Related Links
Celebrating USDA's 150th with Tomato 'Abraham Lincoln,' - People's Gardens around the world will grow this heirloom tomato, named for USDA's founder, to celebrate the department's 150th anniversary.
USDA Celebrates 150 Years - Watch video of the 150th Anniversary Celebration event.
Prepared by Diane Huntrods, May 2012.
Quick Links
Visit USDA's Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) website to access the latest information about this grant program.
USDA selected 298 VAPG recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico to receive business development assistance, awarding more than $40.2 million in 2012. A complete list of the recipients is available online.
Need answers to ag-related questions? Use this USDA tool to locate and contact a land-grant university Cooperative Extension specialist in your state.
Funding
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), an NRCS program, provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers. NRCS has established specific dates in 2012 where eligible applications will be evaluated and approved for funding. The next deadline is June 1. Three EQIP Initiatives may be of particular interest to value-added ag producers: (1) The On-Farm Energy Initiative, (2) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative and (3) Organic Initiative.
grants.com - This website provides information on over 1,000 federal grant programs and access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards, including the Value-Added Producer Grant program.
Guide to USDA Funding for Local and Regional Food Systems, National Sustainable Ag Coalition, 2010 - This guide describes 14 USDA grant and loan programs, such as the Value-Added Producer Grants, that support the development of local and regional food systems. Users are provided with application guidelines, matching requirements and contact information as well as a brief case study for each program.
