The term “sustainable agriculture” was defined in 1977 by the USDA as an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:

• satisfy human food and fiber needs
• enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends
• make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls
• sustain the economic viability of farm operations
• enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues or challenges, potential solutions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant legislation, committees, agencies, programs in addition to information on the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.

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The Sustainable Agriculture category has related posts on government agencies and departments and  committees and their Chairs.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), also known as the Agriculture Department, is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.

It aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, fosters rural communities and works to end hunger in the United States and internationally.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, caffeine products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), cosmetics, animal foods & feed and veterinary products.

The FDA’s primary focus is enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C), but the agency also enforces other laws, notably Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, as well as associated regulations. Much of this regulatory-enforcement work is not directly related to food or drugs, but involves such things as regulating lasers, cellular phones, and condoms, as well as control of disease in contexts varying from household pets to human sperm donated for use in assisted reproduction.

Source: Wikipedia

Mission:  Empowered with legislative oversight of all matters relating to the nation’s agriculture industry, farming programs, forestry and logging, and legislation relating to nutrition, home economics, and rural development.

House Counterpart:  Committee on Agriculture

Democratic Members:
Klobuchar, Amy (MN), Ranking Member
Bennet, Michael F. (CO)
Smith, Tina (MN)
Durbin, Richard J. (IL)
Booker, Cory A. (NJ)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Warnock, Raphael G. (GA)
Welch, Peter (VT)
Fetterman, John (PA)
Schiff, Adam B. (CA)
Slotkin, Elissa (MI)

Republican Members:
Boozman, John (AR), Chairman
McConnell, Mitch (KY)
Hoeven, John (ND)
Ernst, Joni (IA)
Hyde-Smith, Cindy (MS)
Marshall, Roger (KS)
Tuberville, Tommy (AL)
Grassley, Chuck (IA)
Thune, John (SD)
Fischer, Deb (NE)
Moran, Jerry (KS)

Featured Video: Senate Ag Committee Holds Hearing to Examine Cattle Market

Current Position: US Senator since 2011
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: US Representative from 2001 – 2011; Optometrist

Featured Quote: 
The @TaxFoundation
found Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree would result in Arkansans paying, on average, $745 more in taxes within 5 years. READ my latest weekly column on how we’re all paying the price for it through higher taxes and inflation.

John Boozman co-founded a private optometry clinic in 1977 and worked as a volunteer optometrist for low-income families.

Boozman: Democrats’ Tax and Spend Policies Will Devastate Family Farms and Ranches, Rural America

Mission:  
The Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding appropriations for various governmental agencies, programs, and activities, as defined by House rules.

Senate counterpart:  Committee on Agriculture 

Subcommittees:

• Commodity Markets, Digital Assets and Rural Development
• Conservation, Research and Biotechnology
• Forestry
• General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
• Livestock, Dairy and Poultry
• Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture and Horticulture

Chair: Glenn Thompson, Pennsylvania (R)
Ranking Member: David Scott, Georgia (D)

Staff Director Majority: Parish Braden
Staff Director Minority: Anne Simmons
Meeting Location: 1301 Longworth House Office Building; Washington, DC 20515 (202-225-2171)

Featured Video:  21st Century Food Systems – Aug. 3, 2021
Web Links

Current Position: US House of Representatives PA-15 since 2008
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: Businessman
District:  Armstrong, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union, and Warren counties and parts of Indiana, Lycoming, and Venango counties.  
Upcoming Election:

Since 2023, he has chaired the House Agriculture Committee.

Thompson worked for 28 years as a Therapist/Rehab Services Manager/Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Lycoming County and chaired the Centre County Republican Committee for six years. He has spent 25 years as a member or president of the Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14, and volunteers as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, and rescue technician.

Current Position: US Representative of GA-13 since 2003
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Positions: State Delegate from 1983 – 2003; State Delegate from 1975 – 1983
Other Positions:  Committee on Agriculture
District:  Southern and western portions of the Atlanta metropolitan area and includes the cities of Austell, Jonesboro, Mableton, Douglasville, Stockbridge, and Union City, as well as the southern fourth of Atlanta itself.
Upcoming Election:

Featured Quote: 
Wishing all the best to @riseofdrob and @KennySelmon from #GA13, and all #TeamUSA athletes competing in the #TokyoOlympics this summer! You make our nation proud.

Congressman David Scott Presses Facebook CEO on Digital Redlining Practices