Advancing U.S. Agricultural Trade: Reorganizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture

The responsibilities of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have grown and evolved over time in response to changes in the agricultural sector. In order to respond to these changes, USDA has undergone periodic reorganizations throughout its history. Citing the growing importance and complexity of agricultural trade, as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act), Congress mandated that the Secretary of Agriculture develop a plan to create a new Under Secretary position focused on trade-related issues.

The Act directed the department to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy) to assist in developing a plan for reorganizing the department with the goal of enhancing the department’s leadership and coordination on trade-related issues.

To undertake this study the Academy convened an expert Panel of five Fellows to identify and evaluate reorganization options and provide guidance on how the Panel’s preferred reorganization option could be implemented.