United States Department of Agriculture, Federal executive department in Washington, United States.
The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal agency in Washington that coordinates nationwide programs on farming, forestry, rural development, and food safety. Its headquarters stands on Independence Avenue Southwest and houses offices, conference rooms, and administrative units that manage different branches of agricultural policy.
President Abraham Lincoln founded this agency on May 15, 1862, as an independent federal organization. It gained cabinet-level status only in 1889, becoming a full member of the executive branch.
The building's carved inscription reads "Dedicated to the service of agriculture for the benefit of mankind," and the department's head, the secretary of agriculture, sits in the president's Cabinet. Lincoln, who called it the "people's department" because over half the nation then farmed, appointed Isaac Newton as its first commissioner.
Visitors can reach the headquarters at 1400 Independence Avenue Southwest, which operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Access involves security screening at the entrance, so bring a valid identification document.
This department runs a specialized phone hotline that provides immediate answers to questions about meat, poultry safety, and food handling procedures. The service line remains available to citizens year-round and is staffed by trained specialists.
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