United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)--A Treasure Trove of Information

The USDA provides an enormous array of information on its core site, through the Economic Research Service (ERS), the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Education and Outreach.

What They Cover

An array of information about: animal products, including meat, wool, and leather, field (grains, hay, oil crops and more) and horticultural crops (tomatoes, potatoes, apples, peaches, pumpkins, tree nuts, peanuts....you get the picture), farm economy, farm practices and management, food and nutrition assistance, food choices and health, including labeling, portion size, and more; food markets and prices, food safety, international markets and trade, natural resources and environment, rural economy and population

Selected Information: a Sample of What's Available

Their Mission

"The ERS mission is to inform and enhance public and private decision making on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development. "

ERS publishes:

  • Agency-published research reports, market analysis, outlook reports, economic briefs, and data products 
  • Amber Waves magazine 
  • Briefings, written analyses, and studies delivered directly to executive and legislative branch policymakers and program administrators.
  • Articles in professional journals, and papers presented to academic colleagues at conferences and meetings

Selected Information from the ERS