Governor Steve Beshear was joined by federal and state officials in the governor’s office for the ceremonial signing of a proclamation celebrating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Agriculture plays an important role in Kentucky’s economy and rural communities and the USDA is a key partner to its sustainability into the future,” said Beshear. “I am pleased to be a part of celebrating 150 years of the ‘People’s Department’ and look forward to a continued partnership.”
The USDA was established in 1862 by Kentucky-born President Abraham Lincoln to share useful information with the people on subjects related to agriculture. The department set out to serve American farmers and the rural American landscape. Over the last 150 years, the USDA has continued to fulfill Lincoln’s original vision of “touching the lives of every American, every day in almost every way.”
“Today ‘The People’s Department,’ as it was called by President Lincoln, is responsible for many programs that touch all of our citizens,” said State Executive Director John W. McCauley, of the USDA Farm Service Agency. “Some of these efforts include the National School Lunch Program, the Farm to School Initiative and disaster assistance for our nation’s farmers.”
Lexington is home to Kentucky’s state USDA offices for the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development. Kentucky has 69 USDA Service Centers throughout the state to assist farmers and rural communities.
