Energy and Water Programs within the United States Department of Agriculture

Abstract

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is one of the nation’s oldest Federal departments. It employs more than 100,000 people whose work touches the lives of every American in various ways every day. It is one of the most complex departments in the Federal Government, with more than 300 programs that spend more than $75 billion each year to help lead and manage a variety of food, agriculture, natural resources, and related programs. The USDA goals and objectives, and the implementation of its programs, are sound public policy based on the best available science. USDA works with individuals, agricultural and natural resources organizations, and units of government throughout the U.S., and in many other countries throughout the world, to enhance economic opportunities for agricultural producers and rural communities, to protect the nation’s food supply, to improve nutrition and health, and to protect the nation’s natural resources and environment. Energy and water programs are critical components of the USDA. Agriculture in the U.S. is both a major consumer and producer of energy, with crops, forests and livestock requiring energy use for all aspects of production in the field, transport and processing, and conversely, the use of biofuels as a growing source of energy throughout the country. Irrigation is the largest user of freshwater in the U.S. and accounts for about 65 percent of total water withdrawals, excluding water used for thermoelectric power (Schaible 2004). Irrigation is critical in the U.S. as nearly half the value of all crops sold comes from the 16 percent of harvested cropland that is irrigated (Schaible 2004). Because energy and water are so critical for agriculture, the USDA strives to meet emerging issues by supporting the development and use of new technology for increased energy production and energy conservation, and by providing water supply information along with technical and financial assistance to improve the management decisions affecting both water quantity and quality. This paper provides a brief overview of the many energy and water programs managed in the USDA.