Agriculture

Agriculture is the science and cultivation of soil, plants, forests, livestock and crops. The history of agriculture dates back many years and has been defined by varying climates, cultures and technologies.

The United States Department of Agriculture offers many programs and services which include grants and loans, disaster assistance and insurance programs. The Conservation programs consist of restoration and conservation, eco system markets, water resources and wildfire prevention.

Food and Nutrition programs offered through the United States department of Agriculture include SAAP, which provides low income households with benefits such as food assistance for those making the move from welfare to employment. WIC is another well known program developed to provide federal grant money to states for food, nutrition education, and health care referrals for low income pregnant and post partum women and their children who are at risk. The Child Nutrition Program proposed rules that would increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, and low fat milk in school lunches. There has also been an effort to reduce the sodium and fat in meals served at school. These rules have all been introduced in an effort to improve the health of children in the United States.

The Department of Agriculture offers other important programs and services including, food security, importing of goods, exporting of goods, and education and research. Many of the topics that are addressed include; animal health, biotechnology, energy, environment and natural resources, food safety, homeland security, plant health and rural and community development.