Vilsack celebrates USDA anniversary

Yesterday marked an exciting day for the United States Department of Agriculture as Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary, kicked off the yearlong 150th anniversary celebration of the USDA in 2012 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Springfield is the home to of the USDA founder, Abraham Lincoln as he created the USDA in 1862. Lincoln realized the importance of agriculture as he noticed new ways to work land by means of new technology. Today, the USDA works to provide food for everyone by utilizing several food assistance programs including school lunches, food stamps, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). They also support many programs including agricultural education, 4-H, conservation community development, homeland security, and global trade. The USDA supplies food in times of disaster and leads the world in food safety.

 As the state of Illinois derives most of its income from farming practices, it is no surprise the USDA was founded here. During this next year take a moment to appreciate everything the USDA has accomplished, is accomplishing, and hoping to accomplish by visiting a historical website that has been created to highlight their accomplishments over the past 150 years.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture