2017

SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Take care of the land 

and the land will take care of you.
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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About This Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summary of Performance and Financial 

Information for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 includes the most relevant performance and financial 

information in a brief, user-friendly format that is easily understood by a reader with little 

technical background in these areas. The goal of this summary is to increase accountability of 

agency heads and program managers by making the financial and performance information more 

transparent and accessible to Congress, the public, and other key constituencies. USDA’s plans 

and reports are available at www.performance.gov and www.usda.gov/our-agency/aboutusda/performance. 

Who We Are and What We Do 

President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862 with the goal of providing effective 

leadership to the Nation on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. Since 1862, 

the dedicated public servants at USDA help millions of Americans every day. As Americans, 

you are part of the USDA story that has had a tradition of excellence in public service for over 

150 years.

We would like you to learn more about USDA and the Agencies and Offices that touch every 

American, every day. More information about the Department, our history, and our leaders can 

be found at www.usda.gov. 
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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USDA Program Performance 

USDA Performance and Results for FY 2017 

The United States Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) mission is to provide 

leadership on food, agriculture, natural 

resources, rural development, nutrition, and 

related issues based on sound public policy, 

the best available science, and efficient

management. 

For purposes of the Summary of 

Performance and Financial Information 

(SPFI), a performance summary is provided 

using the Department’s key performance 

indicators as a mechanism to gauge progress 

in achieving its mission. In Fiscal Year (FY) 

2017, USDA had 37 key performance 

indicators. 

The following tables and discussion provide 

a high-level description of key focus areas 

for the Department that are being tracked 

and managed through USDA’s performance 

management process, in alignment with the 

Department’s mission areas. The tables 

provide key performance indicator historical 

results, and includes FY 2017 actual results. 

Performance information and a detailed 

discussion of the Department’s FY 2017 

performance results, assessment 

methodologies, metrics, external reviews, 

and documentation of performance data will 

be presented in the FY 2017 USDA Annual 

Performance Report. The report is planned 

to be released with the President’s 2019 

budget in February and will be available on 

the USDA Performance Improvement and 

Accountability website.

The data used by the Department to measure 

performance is collected using standardized 

methodology. This methodology has been 

vetted by federally employed scientists and 

policymakers, and, ultimately, the leadership 

and Under Secretaries of each respective 

mission area. All attest to the completeness, 

reliability, and quality of the data. 
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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FARM AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICES 

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s 

farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private 

forest lands. FFAS agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of 

farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and 

commodity, lending, and disaster programs. 

EXHIBIT 1: Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Conservation Reserve Program 

(CRP) restored wetland acreage 

(millions of acres)

2.09 2.00 1.93 2.09 1.90 2.16

Percentage of Direct and 

Guaranteed lending to Socially 

Disadvantaged Farmers (SDA)

13.60 14.20 15.00 15.90 14.10 16.47

Percentage of Direct and 

Guaranteed lending to 

Beginning Farmers (BF)

70.0 79.2 85.6 95.5 77.5 100.0

Normalized value of risk 

protection provided to 

agricultural producers through 

the Federal Crop Insurance 

Program ($ in billions)

66.00 67.90 68.70 74.00 63.60 74.60 

Conservation Technical 

Assistance (CTA) land with 

conservation applied to improve 

water quality (millions of acres)

N/A 18.2 18.1 15.8 15.8 15.8

CTA cropland with conservation 

applied to improve soil quality 

(millions of acres)

N/A 6.2 6.0 6.0 5.9 5.9

CTA grazing and forest land with 

conservation applied to protect 

and improve the resource base 

(millions of acres)

N/A 13.1 13.1 11.1 13.0 11.6
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Environmental Quality 

Incentives Program (EQIP) land 

with conservation applied to 

improve water quality (millions 

of acres)

N/A 12.3 12.7 10.5 13.5 11.3

EQIP cropland with 

conservation applied to improve 

soil quality (millions of acres)

N/A 3.1 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.0

EQIP grazing land and forest 

land with conservation applied 

to protect and improve the 

resource base (millions of acres)

N/A 14.8 13.9 12.6 13.5 12.8

EQIP non-Federal land with 

conservation applied to improve 

fish and wildlife habitat quality 

(millions of acres)

N/A 1.4 1.4 1.0 0.9 0.9
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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FOOD, NUTRITION, AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) works to harness the Nation's agricultural 

abundance to end hunger and improve health in the United States. Within FNCS, the Food and 

Nutrition Service administers federal domestic nutrition assistance programs, and the Center for 

Nutrition Policy and Promotion links scientific research to the nutritional needs of consumers 

through science-based dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education. 

EXHIBIT 2: Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017

Actual

Prevalence of food insecurity 

in households with children 

(percentage)

19.5 19.2 16.6 16.5 18.5 Deferred1

Annual percentage of eligible 

people participating in the 

Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program (SNAP)

85 85 N/A Deferred2 85 Deferred2

SNAP payment accuracy rate 

(percentage) 96.80 96.34 N/A N/A 96.34 Deferred3

SNAP benefits redeemed 

annually at farmers markets 

and direct marketing farmers 

($ in millions)

17.5 18.8 19.4 20.2 20.0 Deferred4

Annual percentage of eligible 

people participating in the 

National School Lunch 

Program

55.7 54.8 55.4 54.7 58.3 58.0

Annual percentage of 

children participating in the 

free/reduced price school 

lunch program that 

participate in summer 

feeding programs 

16.3 17.5 17.1 16.7 17.4 Deferred5

 

1 The most recent annual report, Household Food Security in the United States in 2016.

2 FY 2016 data will be available in 2018. FY 2017 data will be available in 2019.

3 FY 2017 data will be available in June 2018. 4 Data is not yet available. 5 Data is not yet available.
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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FOOD SAFETY

USDA protects public health by ensuring the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, 

poultry, and egg products. This mission area also plays a key role in supporting Healthy People 

2020 goals6 and other crosscutting and targeted activities that promote food safety with partner 

agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug 

Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

EXHIBIT 3: Food Safety Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Percentage of establishments 

that meet pathogen reduction 

performance standards7

N/A N/A N/A N/A 77.0 77.2

Percentage of establishments 

whose non-compliance rate 

decreases 120 days after 

receiving an early warning alert8

N/A N/A N/A N/A 70.0 72.7

MARKETING AND REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Marketing and Regulatory Programs facilitate domestic and international marketing of U.S. 

agricultural products and ensure the health and care of animals and plants. MRP agencies are 

active participants in setting national and international standards. 

EXHIBIT 4: Marketing and Regulatory Programs Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Cumulative number of 

biotechnology products 

deregulated by USDA based on

scientific determinations that 

they do not pose a plant pest risk 

to agriculture

102 109 117 124 127 127

 

6 See Healthy People 2020. Work is underway to develop Healthy People 2030 goals. 7 This is a new performance measure for FY 2017, actual data from 2013-2016 is not available.

8 This is a new performance measure for FY 2017, actual data from 2013-2016 is not available.
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Natural Resources and Environment ensures the health of the land through sustainable 

management. Its agency works to prevent damage to natural resources and the environment, 

restore the resource base, and promote good land management. 

EXHIBIT 5: Natural Resources and Environment Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual 

Annual acres of public and 

private forest lands restored or 

enhanced (millions of acres)

2.53 2.91 3.10 3.22 2.90 3.26

Volume of timber sold (billion 

board feet) 2.610 2.831 2.867 2.942 3.000 2.920 

Percentage of National Forests 

and Grassland watersheds in 

properly functioning (Class 1) 

condition

52 52 52 53 53 53

Acres of Wildland Urban 

Interface hazardous fuels treated 

to reduce the risk of catastrophic 

wildfire (millions of acres)

1.74 1.73 1.58 2.02 1.80 1.59 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT 

Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of 

rural America by providing financial programs to support essential public facilities and services 

such as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities, and 

electric and telephone services. Rural Development promotes economic development by 

providing loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools, while also 

assisting communities to participate in community empowerment programs. 

EXHIBIT 6: Rural Development Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Number of jobs created or 

saved through USDA financing 

of businesses

44,419 41,202 52,697 51,286 39,764 41,765

Homeownership opportunities 

provided 170,055 146,388 141,314 123,817 173,678 141,258
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Health Facilities: Percentage of 

customers who are provided 

access to new and/or improved 

essential community facilities 

5.4 6.8 12.0 11.7 5.0 6.4 

Safety Facilities: Percentage of 

customers who are provided 

access to new and/or improved 

essential community facilities 

3.4 3.7 7.2 5.0 3.2 14.9

Educational Facilities: 

Percentage of customers who 

are provided access to new 

and/or improved essential 

community facilities 

9.3 6.2 7.9 14.9 5.0 12.6

Number of 

borrowers/subscribers receiving 

new and/or improved electric 

facilities (millions)

8.7 4.6 5.5 5.5 5.1 6.6

Number of 

borrowers/subscribers receiving 

new or improved 

telecommunications services 

(millions)

.120 .084 .095 .079 .100 .158

Number of population receiving 

new and/or improved service 

from agency funded water 

facilities (millions)

1.8 2.2 2.4 2.2 1.7 2.5
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS 

Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs' (TFAA) role is to provide our farmers and ranchers with 

opportunities to compete in the global marketplace. TFAA is the Department’s lead on trade 

policy with the primary responsibility to ensure that USDA speaks with a unified voice on 

international agricultural issues domestically and abroad. It oversees and facilitates foreign 

market access and promotes opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs 

and high-level government negotiations. 

EXHIBIT 7: Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Value of agricultural exports 

resulting from participation in 

foreign food and agricultural trade 

shows ($ in billions)

1.48 1.50 1.52 1.28 1.50 2.35

Value of trade preserved annually 

through USDA staff intervention 

leading to resolution of foreign 

market access issues such as U.S. 

export detainment, restrictive 

Sanitary/ Phytosanitary or 

Technical Barrier to Trade issues 

and trade regulations ($ in billions)

3.8 6.4 3.6 5.0 3.8 7.5

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Departmental Management (DM) provides management leadership to ensure that USDA’s 

administrative programs, policies, advice, and counsel meet the needs of USDA program 

organizations, consistent with laws and mandates. DM is also tasked with providing safe and 

efficient facilities and services to customers.

EXHIBIT 8: Departmental Management Performance Measures

Fiscal Year 2013 

Actual

2014 

Actual

2015 

Actual

2016 

Actual

2017 

Target

2017 

Actual

Number of employees 

participating in core telework 9,723 10,455 11,798 12,342 12,240 14,124

Amount of leased office and 

warehouse space controlled by 

USDA (millions of square feet) 

25.6 24.9 23.9 23.2 23.2 25.0
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Financial Information

The following table presents a snapshot of USDA’s results of operations and financial position. 

This information is based on the same underlying data as the financial statements presented in 

the Agency Financial Report (AFR) (https://www.ocfo.usda.gov/docs/Fiscal_Year_2017.pdf).

EXHIBIT 9: A Snapshot of USDA’s Results of Operations and Financial Position (In Millions)

Item FY 2017

Gross Costs $148,007

Less: Earned Revenue 9,433

Net Cost of Operations $138,574 

Assets: 

 Fund Balance with Treasury $121,572

 Direct Loan and Loan Guarantees, Net 99,816

 Other 4,327

Total Assets $225,715 

Liabilities: 

 Debt $118,031

 Other 46,322

Total Liabilities $164,353 

Net Position (Assets Minus Liabilities) $61,362 

Total Budgetary Resources $253,834 

Outlays, Net $137,120 
FISCAL YEAR 2017 | SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Significant Management Challenges

The Reports Consolidation Act of 2000 requires the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) 

to report annually on the most serious management challenges facing the Department.

In September, 2017, the OIG reported the following major management challenges. A detailed 

description of the challenges and assessment of the Department’s progress in addressing these 

challenges may be found in the FY 2017 AFR. 

• USDA Needs to Improve Oversight 

and Accountability for its Programs. 

• Information Technology Security 

Needs Continuous Improvement. 

• USDA Needs to Strengthen Program 

Performance and Performance 

Measures.

• USDA Needs to Strengthen Controls 

over Improper Payments and Financial 

Management.

• USDA Needs to Improve Outreach 

Efforts.

• Food Safety Inspections Need 

Improved Controls. 

• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 

Needs to Strengthen Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

Management Controls.