USDA Celebrates 150 Years
In 2012, USDA commemorated and celebrated its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture.
Two and one-half years later, in what would be his final annual message to the Congress; Lincoln called USDA "The People's Department." At that time, about half of all Americans lived on farms, compared with about 2 percent today. But through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills Lincoln's vision - touching the lives of every American, every day.
- Message from Secretary Vilsack about USDA's 150th (PDF, 26.5 KB)
- USDA's 150th Anniversary Celebration (Video)
News
- June 28, 2012: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Visits OSU, Highlights Cancer-Fighting Research and 150 Years of Land Grant University Partnerships
- May 16, 2012: Secretary Vilsack Highlights Importance of Agriculture Education and Research to America's Prosperity
- May 15, 2012: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the 'Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American People
- May 14, 2012: Presidential Proclamation -- 150th Anniversary of the United States Department of Agriculture
- May 10, 2012: Senate Resolution Commemorating the Founding of the Department of Agriculture (PDF, 124KB)
- February 23, 2012: USDA Kicks Off 150th Anniversary at the 2012 Ag Outlook Forum
- February 10, 2012: The People's Garden Bears More Fruit through USDA and Old State Capitol Partnership
- January 27, 2012: USDA Names Winners of 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program
- January 17, 2012: USDA Marks 150th Anniversary with Historic Plenary Panel at 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum
Information and Resources
- Morrill Act 150th Anniversary - Message from the President (PDF, 279 KB)
- Secretaries of Agriculture -- 30 Leaders; 150 Years - Learn about the history of USDA from the viewpoints of its nine most recent Secretaries.
- 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival - The 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival commemorated the 150th anniversary of the founding of land-grant universities and the USDA.
- Photos from USDA's 150th Anniversary Collection
- USDA Blog - Read blog posts about USDA's 150th Anniversary Celebration.
