AskUSDA (2024)

FAQs

What is AskUSDA? ›

​​​ AskUSDA is a contact center that answers general inquiries from the public using trained agents and self-service options. To date, AskUSDA has partnered with 19 agencies to improve the customer experience offered to the public.

USDA: United States Department of Agriculture.

Each year Congress appropriates money for FSA farm loans as part of the USDA budget. The funds are appropriated for the Government's fiscal year, which runs from October 1 until September 30 of the following year.

Leads U.S. Department of Agriculture and is responsible for overseeing U.S. agriculture programs throughout the country and abroad. Tom Vilsack serves as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the most common reasons for a failed USDA loan application include insufficient income, debt-to-income ratios that are too high, and credit history or score issues. A study conducted in 2020 found that 24% of USDA loan applications were denied due to credit score issues.

USDA home loans have stricter income limits than FHA loans and also require you to live in an eligible rural area. Your home address and annual household income determine your borrower eligibility for USDA loans. FHA borrower requirements, on the other hand, are more lenient as you can have a lower credit score.

USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives.

It is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who has served since February 24, 2021. 1301 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.

A grant is one way the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Many USDA agencies make funding available by offering grants to a wide range of eligible entities. Organizations that receive this type of funding are not required to repay it.

In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and ...

How many agencies fall under the USDA? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad.

“As public servants, our greater understanding of these important rules will help serve USDA's mission and our motto to 'Do right and feed everyone' so that we enhance the American public's confidence in the integrity and important work of the Department of Agriculture.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The USDA shields and labels assure consumers that the products they buy have gone through a rigorous review process by highly-skilled graders & auditors that follow the official grade standards and process standards developed, maintained and interpreted by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

About the U.S. Department of Agriculture | USDA.

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture / Short name

USDA's Process Verified Program is a user-feefunded, audit-based, third-party verification service designed to provide agricultural suppliers with labeling and marketing tools that assure customers of the consistent quality of the products or services they purchase. Download Fact Sheet.