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Federal Government Resources: Department of Agriculture

Agency Web Sites:

  • United States Department Of Agriculture  (USDA)
    Resources include:
    "Browse by Audience:" drop-down box includes a category for "researchers."
    "Browse by Subject:" leads to agencies and data sources.
  • Agricultural Marketing Service  (AMS)
    Especially useful for marketing news, including current price data.
  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service  (APHIS)
    Basic information on invasive species and wildlife topics, including the
    National Wildlife Research Center, located in Fort Collins.  Also useful is the
    AgNic Wildlife Damage Management site.
  • Economic Research Service  (ERS)
    Provides analysis of agricultural economic topics, including:
    "Key Topics:" a compilation of data and publications on major topics.
    "Briefing Rooms:" in-depth coverage of numerous topics.
    "Publications:" full text resources.
    "Data:" current and past data.
  • Foreign Agricultural Service  (FAS)
    Resources for overseas marketing, including:
    "Market and Trade Data:" in-depth statistics.
    "Commodities and Products:" compilation of information on 15 commodities.
  • National Agricultural Library (NAL)
    Includes the following resources:
    "NAL Catalog and Agricola:" databases for citations to articles, books, etc.
    "Publications/Databases:" access to 17 databases.
    "AgNIC:" a cooperative information network including land grant institutions.
  • NAL Digital Repository (National Agricultural Library)
    Click on "Publications" for full text access and searching of a number of major USDA publications, including significant historical archiving.
  • National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
    Emphasis on statistical reports such as:
    "Publications:" includes Agricultural Statistics online, 1995 to the present.
    "Census:" The Census of Agriculture for 2002, 1997, and 1992.
    "Data and Statistics:" quick access to both current and past data.
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service  (formerly Soil Conservation Service)
    Resources include:
    "Plants Database:" searchable by common or scientific name; includes photos and maps.
    "Soils:" includes the online version of the Soil Survey Manual, listings of soil surveys by state, and links to online soil surveys.

Statistical Web Sites:

Major Print Resources:

  • Agricultural Outlook.   A93 10/2  Doc
    A monthly publication with statistical summaries and articles.  1975-2002 available in paper or microfiche. 2003 to the present online via Sage or the Economic Research Service.
  • Agricultural Prices.   A92.16  Doc
    A monthly compilation.  1945-1996 available in paper or microfiche.  1995 to the present online via Sage or the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
  • Agricultural Prices Annual Summary.   A92.16/2  Doc
    1959-1996 available in paper or microfiche.  1995 to the present online via Sage or the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
  • Agricultural Statistics.   A1 47  Doc Ref
    A book-length compilation with both statistics and source citations.  1936 to the present available in print.  1995 to the present online via Sage and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
  • Census of Agriculture.
    1925 and 1935 at:  C3.31  Doc.
    1940 at C3.940-5 Ag 8  Doc
    1945, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1987, 1992 at:  C3.31/4  Doc
    1997 at:  A92.53/1  Doc Ref
    (1992, 1997, 2002 also online at the Census Bureau.)
  • Soil Surveys.
    1900-1922 at:  A26.5  Doc
    1925-1963 at:  A57.38  Doc  (arrangement is by series NOT year)
    1964-present at:  A57.38  Doc (arrangement is by name of county)
    NOTE: "List of Published Soil Surveys 1993-1994" (A57.38 Ref Desk) lists all soil surveys to that date.  Those published after 1994 can be found in Sage.  Sage or WorldCat provide series numbers for soil surveys published 1925-1963.  Online soil surveys can be found via Sage or the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  • Technical Bulletin.   A1.36  Doc
    1927 to the present available in print.  Newer bulletins online via Sage or the Economic Research Service.
  • Yearbook of Agriculture.   A1.10  Doc
    Each annual volume is on a particular topic rather than summarizing the year's events.  1936-1993 in paper.  Publication ceased with 1993.