what does the u s department of agriculture usda do 
the usda is made up of 29 agencies and offices which include valuable resources like the forest service the center for nutrition policy and promotion and the national agricultural library its programs help provide the following services among others broadband access in rural areas disaster assistance to farmers ranchers and rural residents soil water and other natural resource conservation to landowners wildfire prevention and agricultural research and statistics 1the usda also is responsible for several social welfare programs including school meal nutrition nutrition education food assistance for women infants and children wic and the food stamp program supplemental nutrition assistance program or snap 2the usda is vital in helping to keep america s farmers and ranchers in business and making sure that the nation s commercial supply of meat poultry and egg products is safe wholesome and properly labeled it also helps to support and ensure the health and care of animals and plants and the health of the land through sustainable management 3the head of the usda is the secretary of agriculture second in charge is the deputy secretary of agriculture who oversees the department s daily operations and budget undersecretaries oversee the divisions for rural development food safety and other areas with nearly 100 000 employees who serve at more than 4 500 locations across the country and abroad 1the usda also works to improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural america usda in rural developmentone of the usda s main tasks is in the area of rural development especially rural housing the usda gives financial assistance for purchasing and refinancing rural homes through usda rural development it provides direct loans to very low income borrowers who want to purchase a rural home guaranteed loans to moderate income homebuyers and loans and grants for rural home improvements and repairs 4usda rural development includes three agencies that provide assistance to rural families and communities in addition to its housing program it has a utilities program and a business program 5