U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department that administers nutrition assistance (SNAP, WIC), farm income support, food safety inspection, agricultural research, and rural development programs for American farmers, low-income families, and rural communities.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1862
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What U.S. Department of Agriculture does
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a U.S. federal executive department established in 1862 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., that provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. USDA serves four primary constituencies: American farmers and ranchers (via Farm Service Agency loans, disaster assistance, crop insurance, and Commodity Credit Corporation price support), low-income Americans (via the Food and Nutrition Service's SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition programs serving more than 41 million people monthly), rural communities (via Rural Development infrastructure and broadband programs), and academic/research institutions (via NIFA, ARS, and ERS extramural research funding). The agency also runs food safety inspection through FSIS, agricultural statistics through NASS, foreign trade promotion through FAS, and forestry management through the Forest Service.
USDA's core technology portfolio spans multiple scientific research agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, NASS, and NIFA, with capabilities ranging from the proprietary Sterile Insect Technique used to eradicate the New World Screwworm (now being scaled to 300 million sterile flies per week by late 2027) to computer vision for meat marbling inspection deployed with GSA, AI-assisted surveillance for pest detection, and aerial imagery acquisition covering approximately 12 million acres annually. USDA manages approximately 1.2 million active customer files across more than 130 legacy loan and grant systems that are now undergoing a major modernization initiative.
USDA's business model is non-commercial: it is funded through annual congressional appropriations and is authorized to deploy the Commodity Credit Corporation to borrow up to $30 billion for farm income support, conservation, and disaster response. The agency manages over $200 billion annually in farm and food programs. Service delivery occurs through Farm Service Agency offices in every U.S. county, partnerships with state welfare agencies for SNAP, and international channels such as the World Food Programme for food aid. Following a 20% workforce reduction between January 2025 and January 2026 (down to roughly 80,000 employees), USDA is pursuing technology-led modernization, including a $300 million Palantir agreement and expansion of AI capabilities to offset reduced administrative capacity.
U.S. Department of Agriculture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Legal name
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Website
- https://usda.gov
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1862
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department that administers nutrition assistance (SNAP, WIC), farm income support, food safety inspection, agricultural research, and rural development programs for American farmers, low-income families, and rural communities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U.S. Department of Agriculture industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Federal Agricultural Services
- NAICS
- Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned) (AFALADAH), Food Security, Agriculture & Nutrition Aid Programs (BPADABAD)
Keywords
Where U.S. Department of Agriculture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
U.S. Department of Agriculture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Others, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Congressional Appropriations: USDA is primarily funded through annual congressional appropriations. The agency manages over $200 billion annually in farm and food programs, including farm subsidies, nutrition assistance, and agricultural research.
- Commodity Credit Corporation: CCC has authorized capital stock of $100 million with authority to borrow up to $30 billion. It funds domestic farm income, price support, conservation programs, foreign market development, and international food aid activities.
- Program Fees and Service Charges: USDA collects various fees for services including food safety inspection, grading services, and agricultural marketing services. AMS grading services cover over 90% of cattle graded annually, equating to 21 billion pounds of beef graded per year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | SNAP Benefits - Based on household size and income |
| Other | Weekly | Thrifty Food Plan - $69 per week benchmark |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal executive department that administers agricultural, food, nutrition, and rural development programs across the United States and internationally. It provides nutrition assistance (SNAP, WIC, school meals), farm income support and conservation programs (via the Commodity Credit Corporation), farm loans and disaster assistance (Farm Service Agency), food safety inspection (FSIS), agricultural research (ARS, NIFA), economic and statistical research (ERS, NASS), rural development loans and grants, and international food aid programs.
Product overview
The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates as a broad federal agency providing multiple interconnected programs and services rather than a single unified product. The core portfolio includes food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program), food safety inspection services (FSIS), agricultural research (through ARS and NIFA), economic research (ERS), agricultural statistics (NASS), farm income support and conservation programs (via Commodity Credit Corporation including ARC, PLC, DMC), farm loans and disaster assistance (FSA), rural development, and nutrition guidance (Dietary Guidelines, MyPlate). USDA also operates digital platforms including Farmers.gov for producer services, and is deploying AI systems for surveillance, quality assessment, and operational automation. The department's programs are administered through multiple agencies including the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Food and Nutrition Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, and Foreign Agricultural Service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- National School Lunch Program and Child Nutrition Programs
- McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program
- Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
- Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
- Economic Research Service (ERS)
- National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
- Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Farm Support Programs
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loan Programs
- Farmers.gov Producer Portal
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- MyPlate
- USDA Rural Development Programs
- Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program and Feedstock Rule
- Research Facilities Act Program (FY2026 funding opportunity)
- Small Processors Action Plan and Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program
- USDA Loan and Grant Systems Modernization
- Great American Cotton Plan
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of cattle graded annually (21 billion pounds)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use U.S. Department of Agriculture
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and regional.
- Department of Homeland SecuritycoreUSDA partnering with DHS through a new memorandum of understanding for screwworm response, combining federal resources for biosecurity threat response.
- Department of Homeland SecuritycoreExpanded cooperation for New World Screwworm monitoring and response efforts, exploring detection technologies including dogs, drones, and AI.
- USDA Forest ServicecoreSupported Texas A&M Forest Service launch of Wood Flow South website tracking forest product trade flows, providing funding and technical support.
- Texas Animal Health CommissioncoreLead animal health agency coordinating with USDA for screwworm containment, establishing quarantine zones across 14 Texas counties.
- Texas A&M University SystemcoreUSDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced President Trump appointed John Bellinger (Texas A&M Regent) as Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness. Texas A&M's land-grant system is mobilizing research, diagnostics, and extension resources to support federal and state response efforts, deploying diagnostic equipment to Uvalde and training agents.
- World Food Programmecore$452 million agreement for Food for Peace program sending approximately 211,000 tons of American-grown commodities to seven countries, with all food required to be U.S.-grown.
- Apiary Inspectors of AmericaminorCollaborative relationship for bee colony health monitoring, documenting the highest annual bee colony loss on record.
- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)coreHistoric partnership to boost domestic agricultural production and exports through the Financial Assurance to Revitalize Markets (FARM) Initiative, expanding global banking participation with 100% coverage for payment guarantees.
- Elanco Animal HealthcoreUSDA cooperation in Emergency Use Authorization for Elanco's Negasunt Powder and Tanidil to prevent and treat New World Screwworm infestations in livestock. Products distributed through APHIS and National Veterinary Stockpile.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Marketsregional$31.7 million in disaster aid block grant funding deployed through Vermont state agency to assist communities impacted by catastrophic flooding in July 2023 and 2024.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Canadian federal department with mandate closely mirroring USDA's—regulating agriculture, supporting farm income, administering food inspection, and managing trade. Comparable in providing agricultural services, research, and rural development programming across a major North American agricultural economy.
- DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): UK ministerial department responsible for food and farming, animal and plant health, and rural communities—directly comparable to USDA's FSA, APHIS, and Rural Development functions. Operates with similar policy levers including farm subsidies, food safety regulation, and conservation programs.
- European Commission DG AGRI: EU's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, administering the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with farm income support, market measures, and rural development. Comparable in scale of farm program management, multi-country coordination, and food system oversight.
- World Food Programme (WFP): UN agency partnering with USDA on $452M Food for Peace program, distributing American-grown commodities globally. Comparable as an international food assistance operation with similar scale of school feeding (McGovern-Dole reaches 98,000 students in Lao PDR alone) and emergency food response mandate.
- IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development): UN specialized agency and international financial institution focused on rural poverty reduction and agricultural development in developing countries. Directly comparable to USDA's international food security and Feed the Future initiatives—similar model of grant/loan financing for agricultural development.
Broad incumbents
- FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization): UN specialized agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger through agricultural research, statistical data, and policy advice. While USDA is a national agency, FAO's global mandate on food security, agricultural statistics (paralleling NASS), and rural development directly mirrors USDA's international work.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Sister U.S. federal agency sharing food safety regulatory authority with USDA—FDA oversees most food products while USDA's FSIS handles meat, poultry, and processed eggs. Comparable as a major federal regulator with public health mandate, scientific research arm, and broad inspection/recalls authority.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Sister federal agency whose regulatory authority frequently overlaps with USDA's conservation, water quality, and pesticide programs. Comparable as a federal executive agency with science-driven regulation, state partnership delivery models, and substantial rulemaking authority affecting agriculture.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Joint partner with USDA on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the 2025-2030 guidelines release. Operates federal nutrition programs (CDC) and health research that complement USDA's nutrition assistance portfolio—functionally comparable in administering major benefit programs serving tens of millions of Americans.
Others
- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM): U.S. federal agency that signed the FARM Initiative partnership with USDA to boost domestic agricultural exports through expanded payment guarantees. Operates as a federal credit agency with comparable scale ($30B CCC borrowing authority vs. EXIM's own exposure limits) supporting U.S. commercial interests abroad.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
U.S. Department of Agriculture social profiles
Digital presenceU.S. Department of Agriculture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U.S. Department of Agriculture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
U.S. Department of Agriculture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
U.S. Department of Agriculture M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments834 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about U.S. Department of Agriculture
What does U.S. Department of Agriculture do?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal executive department that administers agricultural, food, nutrition, and rural development programs across the United States and internationally. It provides nutrition assistance (SNAP, WIC, school meals), farm income support and conservation programs (via the Commodity Credit Corporation), farm loans and disaster assistance (Farm Service Agency), food safety inspection (FSIS), agricultural research (ARS, NIFA), economic and statistical research (ERS, NASS), rural development loans and grants, and international food aid programs.
Is U.S. Department of Agriculture a public or private company?
U.S. Department of Agriculture is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was U.S. Department of Agriculture founded?
U.S. Department of Agriculture was founded in 1862. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is U.S. Department of Agriculture based?
U.S. Department of Agriculture is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does U.S. Department of Agriculture make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Congressional Appropriations are the primary driver. The others are commodity Credit Corporation and program Fees and Service Charges.
Who are U.S. Department of Agriculture's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), European Commission DG AGRI, World Food Programme (WFP) and IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Broad incumbents are FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is listed as an others.
Does U.S. Department of Agriculture have an API?
No public API is recorded for U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What industry is U.S. Department of Agriculture in?
U.S. Department of Agriculture's product category is Federal Agricultural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAB, Agriculture & Food Security Development, with a secondary code of AFALADAH, Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned). Its NAICS code is 92614 and its SIC code is 700.