United States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a federal agency dedicated to promoting farming, ensuring food safety, and overseeing conservation efforts. Established in 1862, the USDA originally operated under a commissioner, but in 1889, the role transitioned to that of a secretary, who is appointed by the president with Senate approval. This position plays a crucial role in managing the department's wide-ranging responsibilities, including supporting farmers, enhancing agricultural production, and safeguarding the environment.
The USDA has grown significantly since its inception, now encompassing twenty-nine offices and agencies across approximately 4,500 locations with a workforce of around 100,000. The Secretary of Agriculture serves as a key spokesperson for the department, representing its interests to the public and government, and is ranked ninth in the presidential line of succession. Candidates for this role typically have substantial backgrounds in agriculture and a passion for environmental stewardship. The first individual to hold the position, Norman Jay Coleman, contributed to the field through various roles in law and governance before becoming the first secretary. Overall, the Secretary of Agriculture plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact American agriculture and food systems.
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United States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States secretary of agriculture is the leader of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA is a department of the federal government that promotes farming and ranching, ensures the safety and availability of food, and oversees many conservation programs. Upon its founding in 1862, the USDA was run by a commissioner, but as of 1889 the leadership went to the secretary of agriculture. The secretary is appointed by the president for an unfixed term. He or she serves as a leader and spokesperson for the USDA and American agriculture and agribusiness.
Overview
Agriculture has always been an integral part of life in the United States. The US government understood the importance of agriculture and created programs to help farmers and import new and improved farming technology. By the mid-1800s, with about half of all Americans living on farms, officials pushed for a separate federal government department dedicated solely to agriculture. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act that would create the USDA.
The USDA creates and executes laws that impact the country’s farms, as well as food and forests. Some of the main focuses of the USDA are helping farmers and ranchers, increasing production, protecting the environment, and ensuring the safety and availability of food products throughout the country. In the twenty-first century, the USDA is composed of twenty-nine offices and agencies at approximately 4,500 locations with about 100,000 workers.
Upon its founding, the USDA was led by an appointed commissioner. In 1889, the office of the secretary of agriculture was created. This officer is tasked with heading the USDA and guiding it toward its goals of promoting agricultural growth, land management, food safety, environmental regulations, and more. The secretary is empowered to delegate duties, and he or she often appears as a spokesperson of the USDA, representing the department to the public and the rest of the government.
The secretary of agriculture is appointed by the president of the United States, with the approval of the Senate. The secretary is one of the most important and influential members of the government, answering directly to the president. In the line of succession, the hierarchy of important leaders who take the presidency should higher officers be unable, the secretary of agriculture is ranked ninth. Secretaries of agriculture are normally people with extensive agrarian experience and a love of nature. They have no fixed length of term.
The first secretary of agriculture was Norman Jay Coleman. Born in New York, Coleman served as a lawyer, legislator, and then lieutenant governor of Missouri. During his careers, he developed an interest in agriculture, joining organizations and even publishing an agricultural journal. Coleman was appointed commissioner of agriculture in 1885. When the office of secretary of agriculture formed in 1889, he served briefly in that role.
Bibliography
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“Former Secretaries.” US Department of Agriculture, www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/history/former-secretaries. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.” US Department of Agriculture, www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/our-secretary. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“3 U.S. Code § 19 - Vacancies in Offices of Both President and Vice President; Officers Eligible to Serve.” Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“USDA Celebrates 150 Years.” US Department of Agriculture, www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/history. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“USDA History.” US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library, www.nal.usda.gov/usda-history. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Vilsack, Thomas J. “Amendments to Delegations of Authority.” Federal Register, 9 July 2013, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/09/2013-15849/amendments-to-delegations-of-authority. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Walling, Melina. "US Department of Agriculture to Invest $300 Million in Monitoring Agricultural Emissions." Associated Press, 12 July 2023, apnews.com/article/farming-emissions-climate-agriculture-investment-bb3c3c69ea408414bc9a0b57f6c8cdec. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.