Farms, forests, and the food that moves from them into stores sit under one cabinet department. Inspectors, researchers, and rural-development programs all report through it. Many of the binding rules are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
What the Department Covers
- Farm programs. Support for crops, livestock, and the markets where they are sold.
- Food safety. Inspection of meat, poultry, and egg products, plus guidance on what a label may claim.
- Rural services. Housing, utilities, and business programs in communities outside major cities.
Rules and Programs
| Piece | What it does |
| A statute | Congress sets the duty |
| A regulation | The department writes the enforceable detail |
| A program | Staff carry out loans, inspections, or research under those rules |