USDA Kicks Off 150 Year Celebration in Lincoln’s Hometown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off its 150th anniversary yesterday in Illinois, the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln, who established the department in 1862. “USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as ‘The People's Department’ — touching the lives of every American every day,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "As we commemorate 150 years, we will look for lessons from the past that can help us strengthen USDA in the future to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America.” The official year-long celebration will launch in February 2012 during the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, followed by activities held throughout the year, including an event in May to commemorate President Lincoln’s signing of the act to establish USDA and the July signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities. Read more.