MST Clearinghouse

Mission Statement
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural
resources, rural development and related issues based on
sound public policy, the best available science, and effi cient
management.

 

Vision Statement
To be a dynamic organization that is able to enhance
agricultural trade, improve farm economies and quality
of life in rural America, protect the Nation’s food supply,
improve the Nation’s nutrition, and protect and enhance
the Nation’s natural resource base and environment.

 

Values

In carrying out the goals of this plan, the Department will
adhere to the key values articulated by President Bush (see
text box at right). USDA employees will be guided by the
following principles as they address challenges in food,
agriculture, resources and related issues:
• Strong ethics;
• Service;
• Teamwork;
• Inclusive decision-making; and
• Fiscal responsibility.
To achieve USDA’s strategic goals and implement its
management initiatives, this plan emphasizes results based
on teamwork across agencies. As part of this plan, we will
improve both the short-term and long-term leadership
abilities needed to carry out public policy eff ectively. All
actions will be consistent with our equal opportunity and
civil rights responsibilities. USDA will act in a manner
both inclusive and open to public scrutiny.

Strategic Plan Framework
The six strategic goals contained in this plan describe the
Department’s major programmatic policies and objectives.
Sound management is an inherent part of achieving these
goals. While this plan focuses on programmatic goals and
objectives, the Department has separate management
plans that detail our strategies for improvement in human
capital, information technology and eGovernment,
financial management, competitive sourcing, and budget
and performance integration. In addition, more detailed
mission area and agency plans are being developed to
support this plan.

A set of performance measures will track progress in
attaining our goals and objectives. Each measure specifi es
baseline information and long-term performance targets.
Actionable strategies delineate the activities needed to
reach the strategic goals. Finally, a survey of external
factors highlights possible challenges to USDA’s stated
goals.

USDA’s six strategic goals mirror our commitment to
provide first-class service, state-of-the-art-science, and
consistent management excellence across the broad
responsibilities of the Department. Although change has
been a constant in the evolution of the U.S. farm and
food sector, the new century brings growing importance
to consumer preferences and the reach of global markets.
To reflect this, these goals contain 17 objectives that
cover the myriad programs and services within USDA’s
responsibilities.

 

Through these objectives, USDA will strive to:

• Expand international trade for agricultural products
and support international economic development;

• Expand domestic marketing opportunities
for agricultural products and strengthen risk
management, the use of financial tools, and the
provision of sound information to help farmers and
ranchers in their decision-making process;

• Further develop alternative markets for agricultural
products and activities;

• Provide financing needed to help expand job
opportunities and improve housing, utilities and
infrastructure in rural America;

• Enhance food safety by taking steps to reduce the
prevalence of foodborne hazards from farm to table
and safeguard agriculture from natural and intentional
threats;

• Improve nutrition by providing food assistance and
nutrition education and promotion; and

• Manage and protect America’s public and private
lands working cooperatively with other levels of
government and the private sector.

 

Across all USDA objectives, research—which provides
the foundation for modern agriculture—is key.
Developing commercially feasible renewable resources
(such as bioenergy), food-based health products (such as
neutraceuticals and functional foods), and manufacturing
products (such as adhesives, lubricants, insulators, fi bers,
dyes, and other bioproducts) creates new demand for
agricultural products and helps reduce U.S. dependence
on foreign sources of nonrenewable resources. Scientifi c
advances, coupled with spatial imaging technology, enable
early detection and mitigation of naturally occurring or
human-caused threats to food security before they can
infl ict major damage. Genetics and molecular biology
hold promise to reduce recurring problems of plant
and animal disease, invasive species, post-harvest losses,
and food-related health issues. Finally, education builds
scientifi c and agricultural literacy, and recruits, retains,
and graduates the best and the brightest of a diverse
population, ensuring the value of future research.