United States

Department of Agriculture

Fiscal Year 2024-2026 Data Strategy
Table of Contents

Foreword from the Secretary i

Message from the USDA Chief Data Officer ii

Vision, Goals, & Objectives 1

Introduction 2

Goal 1: Data Governance and Leadership 3

Objective 1.1.	 — Evolve the USDA data governan

Objective 1.2.	 — Measure and maximize the organizational value of

	 Objective 1.3.	 — Mature the AC

	 Objective 1.4.	 — Promote cross-departmental & cross-government data & artificial 

Goal 2: Data and Analytics Workforce 5

	 Objective 2.1.	 — Expand our ability to recruit and retain the USDA federal dat

	 Objective 2.2.	 — Promote USDA-wide workforce training & upskilling

	 Objective 2.3.	 — Support centralized analytics teams to handle future chall

	 Objective 2.4.	 — Upskill USDA to support advanced analytics and artificial int

Goal 3: Common Data and Analytics Toolset 7

	 Objective 3.1.	 — Modernize Enterprise Data Analytics Platform & Toolset (EDAPT) 

	 Objective 3.2.	 — Advance an enterprise data architecture that promotes data integration, standardization, an

	 Objective 3.3.	 — Improve geospatial data capabilities and inte

	 Objective 3.4.	 — Monitor and, where applicable, reduce the cost and complexity of the data and analytics 

Goal 4: Open Data 9

	 Objective 4.1.	 — Centralize and catalog data 

	 Objective 4.2.	 — Improve access to dat

	 Objective 4.3.	 — Maintain transparent open data

	 Objective 4.4.	 — Identify data to bring 

Goal 5: Analytics for a Purpose 11

	 Objective 5.1.	 — Further integrate data visualization and advanced analytics into USDA’s culture of d

	 Objective 5.2.	 — Standardize principles and best practices for analytics and artificial intelligen

	 Objective 5.3.	 — Promote data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, responsible use, and 

	 Objective 5.4.	 — Increase number of enterprise analytics

Conclusion 13

Overview of Our Data Strategy Framework 14

Acknowledgments 15

Contact Information & Accessibility 16
“The power of data in shaping

the future of food, agriculture,

natural resources, rural development,

and nutrition cannot be overstated. 

Through robust data collection, 

analysis, and accessibility, we unlock 

the keys to a thriving agricultural 

sector and we ensure that our policies, 

programs, and investments are 

grounded in evidence and tailored 

to the needs of our farmers, 

ranchers, and consumers.

Transparency and accountability are 

embedded in the DNA of USDA, and

data is the cornerstone of this

commitment. I am proud to announce

an updated and comprehensive USDA

Data Strategy for fiscal years 2024 

through 2026 that ensures our 

workforce, infrastructure, and 

policies enable a strong culture 

of data-informed decision-making 

and underpins our values and

commitment to our constituents.”

Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture

i
ii

“We’ve made notable progress since

the publication of the first USDA

Data Strategy three years ago to be

a data-driven and evidence-based

organization. Data is more important

than ever for the success of USDA’s

mission. Data enables us to measure

USDA’s progress, assess the impact

of our initiatives, and course-correct 

when needed. It ensures our actions 

are rooted in evidence and guided by 

the best interests of those we serve.

Through the commitment and collaboration of Assistant Chief Data Officers 

(ACDOs) representing every USDA Mission Area and Staff Office, as well as stakeholders across the Department, this document underpins the importance of using 

data effectively and continuing to grow as an organization over the next three 

years and onwards.”

Chris Alvares

Chief Data Officer

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Goals Objectives

1 Data Governance

& Leadership

1.1. Evolve the USDA data governance structure.

1.2. Measure and maximize the organizational value of data & analytics at USDA.

1.3. Mature the ACDO role.

1.4. Promote cross-departmental / government data & artificial intelligence collaboration. 

2 Data & Analytics

Workforce

2.1. Expand our ability to recruit & retain the USDA federal data workforce.

2.2. Promote USDA-wide workforce training & upskilling initiatives.

2.3. Support centralized analytics teams to handle future challenges.

2.4. Upskill USDA to support advanced analytics & artificial intelligence (AI). 

3 Common Data &

Analytics Toolset

3.1. Modernize EDAPT in a cost-effective manner.

3.2. Advance an enterprise data architecture that promotes data integration, standardization, & security.

3.3. Improve geospatial data capabilities & integrations.

3.4. Where applicable, reduce the cost & complexity of the data & analytics tool ecosystem. 

4 Open Data

4.1. Centralize & catalog data assets.

4.2. Improve access to data across USDA.

4.3. Maintain transparent open data assets.

4.4. Identify data to bring into EDAPT.

5 Analytics for

a Purpose

5.1. Further integrate data visualization & advanced analytics into USDA’s culture of decision-making.

5.2. Standardize principles & best practices for analytics & artificial intelligence (AI). 

5.3. Promote data & artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, responsible use, & transparency.

5.4. Increase number of enterprise analytics tools in EDAPT. 

1

Vision, Goals, & Objectives:

To realize the full potential of USDA’s data and workforce to make 

better decisions, maximize the impact of citizen-facing programs, and 

provide the public with easier access to data that can solve national 

problems and spark innovation.
2

Introduction

The United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) works to promote 

agricultural production, preserve 

the nation’s natural resources, and 

expand economic opportunity through 

innovation, especially in rural communities. Data is a strategic asset that 

enables the Department to manage 

funds, inform policy and programs, 

and promote transparency, thereby 

better supporting American farmers, 

producers, and ranchers. 

The FY (Fiscal Year) 21-23 USDA Data Strategy, developed in 2019, set the initial strategic direction for the use 

and management of data across the Department with 

the advancement of data-related policies and initiatives. 

This new FY24-26 USDA Data Strategy will build upon 

the progress made over the past three years and push 

the Department forward in advancing data skills and 

enterprise tools, improving governance and policies, 

and expanding collaboration. The priorities included in 

this Strategy were developed through a collaborative 

approach with feedback from data stakeholders across 

the organization to ensure recommended actions are 

realistic, well-informed, and valuable to USDA and the 

communities we serve. In addition, USDA remains committed to achieving alignment with Federal-wide initiatives such as the Federal Data Strategy and the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, including 

making open government data assets machine-readable, 

developing and maintaining a comprehensive data 

inventory for all data assets, and designating a Chief 

Data Officer (CDO) to be responsible for lifecycle data 

management.

The FY21-23 USDA Data Strategy offered a framework 

for Mission Areas to pursue data excellence and drove 

widespread investment in analytics that had broad 

impact. Specifically, this led to the creation and adoption 

of the Enterprise Data Analytics Platform & Toolset 

(EDAPT), the Assistant Chief Data Officer (ACDO) role at 

each Mission Area, and the Chief Data Officer Council 

(CDO Council). These investments in analytics and data 

governance enabled the Department to engage in a 

more data-driven response to our strategic priorities. In 

addition to the successes of new and enhanced analytical tools, the FY21-23 Data Strategy also expanded 

collaboration between Department leadership and 

Mission Areas. Following the release of the FY21-FY23 

USDA Data Strategy, great strides have been made 

in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and 

Automated Systems. USDA is taking steps to ensure this 

new technology is utilized in a way that is both ethical 

and efficient, including establishing an AI Center of 

Excellence. At the end of 2022, the White House released 

the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights which describes five 

principles for use of automated systems. The principles 

in the AI Bill of Rights aim to protect the American public 

from the dangers of AI and have been used to guide our 

strategic objectives.

The FY24-26 USDA Data Strategy aims to build on the 

successes of the existing data strategy and update our 

data-related goals and objectives to meet evolving needs 

and expectations for Departmental data. The FY24-26 

USDA Data Strategy will help our Mission Areas meet 

new expectations for oversight and transparency through 

a data-driven approach, clear governance structures, and 

the use of more advanced analytical techniques. 

Thus, this Strategy is the product of our commitment to 

data-driven excellence and our belief that buy-in across 

the organization is key to developing and implementing 

an effective data strategy. Through our FY24-26 Data 

Strategy, we aim to promote a shared understanding and 

ownership of data, invest in our data workforce and analytics, promote consistent practices, align data objectives, 

and ensure adaptability to meet evolving challenges and 

requirements.
3

Goal 1: Data Governance & Leadership

USDA will strengthen enterprise data governance and data leadership to coordinate and 

enhance data and analytics development, management, infrastructure, and tools.

Investing in data governance is key to navigate the increasing 

volume and complexity of data that USDA collects and shares.

This investment will be driven by data leaders, especially the

Assistant Chief Data Officers (ACDOs) at each Mission Area and 

Staff Office. These data leaders will promote best practices and 

frameworks across the Department to ensure USDA manages data 

effectively.

Data governance processes driven by our data leaders will benefit 

USDA’s stakeholders by supporting the preparation, integration, 

analysis, and sharing of data. Specifically, accurate and high-quality data supports better resource allocation and strategic planning 

and enables data analytics. Data governance also promotes transparency by identifying clear data-related roles, responsibilities, 

and processes, while helping our organization comply with federal 

regulations and laws, including those related to data security.

We aim to increase our support for data governance over the next 

three years by evolving the ACDO role in partnership with the 

Chief Data Officer (CDO), communicating the value of our data 

investment, and working with groups within USDA and across 

Government to strengthen the data program.

FY21-23 Data Governance & 

Leadership Successes

Established the role of the Assistant

Chief Data Officer (ACDO) at each

USDA Mission Area & representative 

Department Administration & Staff Offices

Launched the USDA Data

Governance Advisory Board

(DGAB) in 2019

Developed governance bodies

at the Mission Area-level

Created race and ethnicity data 

standards for statistical agencies

Chartered USDA-wide Communities 

of Practice in areas such as advanced 

analytics, data visualization, data 

stewardship, and Artificial Intelligence
4

Goal 1: Data Governance & Leadership

USDA will strengthen enterprise data governance and data leadership to coordinate and 

enhance data and analytics development, management, infrastructure, and tools.

Objective 1.1.

Evolve the USDA data governance structure.

We will continue maturing the data governance function at 

USDA by establishing department-wide data governance 

priorities, including mapping governance groups, responsibilities, and leadership. We will conduct data maturity 

assessments to continuously identify both targeted and 

enterprise-wide opportunities to improve the quality of 

data and analytics. We will also develop Mission Area-specific data & analytics modernization plans covering the 

next five years to ensure strategic alignment.

Objective 1.3.

Mature the ACDO role.

We will work to further define the role and core responsibilities of Assistant Chief Data Officers (ACDOs) to help

ensure they have access to the resources to continue

to meet Mission Area needs for data, analytics, and

governance. We will also mature and launch an ACDO

Scorecard to provide a holistic view of strategic data

priorities and ensure that the role is properly aligned to

agency and Department needs.

Objective 1.2.

Measure and maximize the organizational

value of data analytics at USDA.

We will measure and communicate the value of USDA’s

data investment. To measure the value that data and

analytics add to USDA mission delivery, we will develop

suitable metrics to quantify the value of datasets and

data products, consistently track data quality, and

report progress on these metrics as they relate to performance, evaluation, and risk. We will also collect and

share success stories to find additional ways to share

value and promote transparency and accountability. 

Objective 1.4.

Promote cross-departmental & crossgovernment data & artificial intelligence

collaboration.

We will continue to invest in partnerships both within

USDA and with other agencies across the Federal Government. Internally, we will continue to work with our staff

offices, IT, evidence, performance, and customer experience counterparts to find additional opportunities to work

together and further the goals of data programs across

USDA. We will expand collaboration and partnerships with

Geospatial leaders and the C-suite via progress reports on

data strategy implementation and align our data priorities

to Cloud policy. We will also continue our participation in

the Federal CDO Council and related work, and participate

in other cross-government councils such as the White

House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)

and working groups to further data and AI at USDA.

Data Spotlight – Assistant Chief Data Officers 

As part of our implementation of the FY21-23 Data Strategy, USDA formally established the role of Assistant Chief Data 

Officer (ACDO) at each Mission Area (MA) and Departmental and Staff Office (DASO). The responsibilities of an ACDO 

include data stewardship, setting performance indicators, and serving as an advocate for data for the Mission Area. Our 

ACDOs sit on a Data Governance Advisory Board (DGAB) at the USDA-level and serve as the senior data leadership across 

the Department. ACDOs are important to USDA because we have eight Mission Areas with vastly different missions. Our 

ACDOs help ensure that mission-specific data and analytics priorities are represented at the Department-level. The ACDO 

model has been replicated in other federal agencies that wish to employ a similar federated model at their agency. 
5

Goal 2: Data & Analytics Workforce

USDA will strengthen data fluency across the Department, understand key drivers for data 

workplace retention, and hire for the future to build a strong, data-informed workforce.

The USDA workforce is our most important asset. Without a 

diverse and data-informed workforce, USDA cannot deliver on its 

various missions. USDA must continue investing in recruitment, 

retention, and upskilling efforts and make USDA the best place 

to work in the public sector for data scientists, data analysts, 

geographic information system (GIS) analysts, and the data 

workforce at large.

Our planned investments in the data and analytics workforce 

include formal training events, but also inclusion in various 

Communities of Practice, participating in our annual Ag Data Viz 

Day and GeoSymposium, competing in various data challenges 

and hackathons, and more. We must also strengthen our data 

workforce to handle new and emerging tools and techniques to 

keep their skills relevant to what’s needed for USDA. Lastly, we 

will continue to make USDA a magnet for bright talent looking to 

serve and find ways to recruit top talent more efficiently.

Agency leaders across USDA will play a crucial role in recruiting 

and retaining the data workforce. We will work over the next three 

years to build and keep a strong, data-informed workforce.

FY21-23 Data Workforce Successes

Established Centralized Analytics 

Teams in most Mission Areas

Launched the Food and Nutrition 

Service (FNS) Data Science Training 

Program

Hosted Ag Data Viz Day, an annual 

event to inspire and educate all USDA 

data practitioners

Conducted the Inaugural Data Skills 

Assessment Survey

The Enterprise Geospatial Management 

Office (EGMO) established the annual 

GeoSymposium, an event that focuses 

on the Geographic Information Services’ 

impact on the USDA mission and other 

geospatial priorities
6

Goal 2: Data & Analytics Workforce

USDA will strengthen data fluency across the Department, understand key drivers for data workplace retention, and hire for the future to build a strong, data-informed workforce.

Objective 2.1.

Expand our ability to recruit and retain the USDA 

federal data workforce.

We will continue to make USDA the best place to work 

for our data workforce. We will facilitate a conversation 

with stakeholders to share best practices for recruitment 

initiatives and retention of data practitioners across the 

Department. Additionally, USDA will leverage Department 

and Federal-wide hiring actions and explore rapid-hire 

options for data scientists. These efforts will allow USDA 

to recruit top candidates more efficiently. We will also 

explore developing a human capital plan, in partnership 

with the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO), that defines 

and maps steps to strengthen the data workforce.

Objective 2.2.

Promote USDA-wide workforce training & 

upskilling initiatives.

We will continue promoting workforce training and 

upskilling initiatives by scaling and transitioning the 

Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Data Science Training 

Program pilot to a USDA-wide program. We will conduct a 

follow-up skills assessment survey to understand growth 

and changes to our data workforce and help us prioritize 

future initiatives. We will also partner with the USDA 

Digital Service to align data and IT workforce strategies 

for mutual benefit.

Objective 2.3.

Support centralized analytics teams to handle 

future challenges.

We will outline responsibilities for centralized analytics 

teams and identify the minimum viable resources needed 

by ACDOs to oversee centralized analytics priorities within 

their Mission Area. We will share best practices for establishing Mission Area-level communities of practice and 

promote existing USDA-wide communities of practice to 

ensure collaboration, innovation, and coordination across 

the Department. We will provide capacity where program 

areas are not resourced to stand up their own analytics 

teams and enable them to address cross-cutting analytics 

issues in the organization. 

Objective 2.4.

Upskill USDA to support advanced analytics and 

artificial intelligence (AI).

We will work with stakeholders across the Department to 

support the training of the data workforce on advanced 

analytics and AI, including ethical and responsible use 

of data as well as avoidance of risk and bias. We will 

also coordinate across data and research communities 

to identify how we can build comprehensive training 

capabilities that include the proper use of artificial 

intelligence.

Data Spotlight – FNS Data Science Training Program

In the summer of 2021, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) launched an annual data science training program 

for new and seasoned data scientists to improve their skills, work on a capstone project, and build new 

connections. Since the initial launch of the program, the class size has grown across multiple USDA Mission 

Areas from word of mouth alone. As the program enters its third iteration starting July 2023, FNS has 

partnered with the Chief Data Officer to deliver the program across all USDA Mission Areas.
7

Goal 3: Common Data & Analytics Toolset

USDA will expand and mature EDAPT, while also exploring new enterprise

architecture, infrastructure, and analytics tools to enable shared access and use

of data to achieve our mission and drive innovation.

USDA invests in shared data platforms and analytics tools to 

eliminate data silos, promote enterprise data integrity and 

governance, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation.

Shared data and analytics infrastructure helps ensure we 

proactively manage data as we collect it and make the best 

use of the data we collect and generate. Launched in 2017, the 

Enterprise Data Analytics Platform & Toolset (EDAPT) serves 

as USDA’s centralized hub for storing, sharing, analyzing, and 

visualizing Departmental data. The deployment of EDAPT 

was central to USDA’s first data strategy, since it provided a 

common platform for data analytics and data management. 

More recently, USDA launched the Open Data Platform (ODP), a 

common way to share data visualizations with the public. 

More opportunities remain to identify and deliver common 

enterprise services across USDA at an overall better value. 

Over the next three years, USDA will continue to scale and 

mature EDAPT while identifying additional tools, products, 

processes, and service offerings to help the Department improve 

operational efficiency.

FY21-23 Common Data &

Analytics Toolset Successes

Deployed the USDA Enterprise Data Analytics Platform & Toolset (EDAPT) with 

priority departmental datasets & key 

data management tools for shared use

Developed a suite of USDA-wide and 

Mission Area-specific dashboards to 

drive decision-making and reporting 

at all levels

Increased data shared with the public 

following the launch of the Open Data 

Platform

Developed the Data Science Workbench to allow analytics teams the 

tools to collaborate and perform 

complex analytics
8

Goal 3: Common Data & Analytics Toolset

USDA will expand and mature EDAPT, while also exploring new enterprise architecture,

infrastructure, and analytics tools to enable shared access and use of data to achieve our

mission and drive innovation.

Objective 3.1.

Modernize Enterprise Data Analytics Platform 

& Toolset (EDAPT) in a cost-effective manner.

We will continue to mature the EDAPT cost model and 

communicate the current and expected business value. 

We will look at ways to deliver a cost-effective enterprise 

data analytics infrastructure to USDA through partnership with the USDA Chief Technology Officer, OCIO’s 

Digital Infrastructure Service Center (DISC), the Cloud 

Working Group, and by evaluating proofs-of-concept and 

opportunities to continuously improve EDAPT’s existing 

processes, capabilities, and cost model.

Objective 3.2.

Advance an enterprise data architecture that promotes data integration, standardization, & security. 

We will continue to promote data integration, standardization, and security, including exploring additional 

standardized data sharing agreements, standard operating 

procedures (SOPs), and training on enterprise platform 

usage and connectivity. We will map how EDAPT will 

interface with select emerging technologies and promote, 

when appropriate, conducting “analysis of alternatives” 

assessments to compare existing tools with alternatives to 

ensure USDA is using the best available tools for its needs. 

We will also work closely with the USDA Chief Privacy 

Officer to strengthen data privacy and with the Chief 

Information Security Officer (CISO) to promote zero trust 

principles across the data analytics portfolio. We will also 

work with the USDA Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) 

to improve EDAPT’s geospatial capabilities and improve 

geospatial data integration across USDA.

Objective 3.3.

Improve geospatial data capabilities and

integrations.

We will continue to integrate the Enterprise Geospatial 

Management Office (EGMO) into the Office of the Chief 

Data Officer. We will align initiatives, investments, and 

knowledge management with the USDA Geospatial Strategy, including initiatives for the improved integration of 

geospatial data and products with EDAPT and other tools.

Objective 3.4.

Monitor and, where applicable, reduce the cost and 

complexity of the data and analytics tool ecosystem.

We will promote rationalization and standardization of analytics tools and award blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) 

to decrease license costs, eliminate barriers to access, and 

make the use of enterprise tools more efficient. We will 

continue to assess the data and analytics tool ecosystem 

to ensure maximum efficiency and value. USDA will also 

explore tools to help us understand tool capabilities and 

better predict and plan costs and to proactively incorporate 

requirements into our budget planning cycle.

Data Spotlight – USDA Open Data Platform

The USDA Open Data Platform (ODP) was developed to provide a common way to share USDA data visualizations 

with the public. Since the launch of ODP, over 200 public dashboards and products have been launched, providing 

more information and insights on various USDA programs for public use. Having a common platform to share data 

visualizations and products with the public has made it easier and more cost-effective compared to having multiple 

methods and data visualization standards.
9

Goal 4: Open Data

USDA will enable effective data sharing, underpinned by the FAIR principles, to provide 

internal and external stakeholders with deeper insights, value, and transparency.

Open data that is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable

(FAIR) reduces barriers to collaboration, innovation, and transparency. Open data allows USDA employees and stakeholders to 

answer questions, perform analyses and evaluations, and promote 

visibility of program operations and successes.

Enabling open data internally will reduce the time USDA Mission 

Areas spend performing ad hoc reporting requests to respond to 

data calls. Making priority data open across the Department will 

promote visibility into ongoing data-related initiatives, reduce 

duplicative efforts, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Externally, increasing public access to USDA’s data will help promote transparency and accountability, ensure organizations and 

researchers have the data they need to make informed decisions, 

and spur research innovation and collaboration between USDA 

and the public that will further our mission.

For both internal and external data sharing, we will work to strike 

the right balance between privacy, security, and openness. In 

this way, committing to open data will unlock new transformative 

insights, not only for USDA, but for external stakeholders and the 

public at large.

Achieved widespread adoption of the 

Open Data Platform with over 200 public 

dashboards available on the platform and 

over 600,000 views

FY21-23 Open Data Successes

Established the USDA All Access site for 

internal data sharing across USDA without 

requiring licenses

Launched the USDA Data Catalog to 

increase data reusability and visibility 

Launched a public-facing data visualizations page on the FNS website to host all 

public dashboards

Launched the Rural Data Gateway

Utilized CXO dashboards and data to track 

COVID-19 trends to determine the best 

course for Return to Office and Federal 

Employee Viewpoint Survey 

(FEVS) scores to address changes and 

make workplace improvements
10

Goal 4: Open Data 

USDA will enable effective data sharing, underpinned by the FAIR principles, to provide internal 

and external stakeholders with deeper insights, value, and transparency.

Objective 4.1.

Centralize and catalog data assets.

We will continue to centralize and catalog data assets 

by domain areas to make sharing data with internal and 

external stakeholders more efficient. USDA will prioritize 

the entry of key metadata from across every Mission Area 

and Departmental Administration / Staff Office in the 

USDA Data Catalog and create a review process to allow 

key datasets to be shared department-wide. Lastly, USDA 

will implement data quality tools and processes that 

improve data quality for our most critical datasets.

Objective 4.2.

Improve access to data across USDA.

We will improve the data access experience by collaborating with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive 

tracker and toolkit to facilitate faster and more streamlined access to data, including template data sharing 

agreements, material transfer agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs). We will also increase 

awareness of open data assets for use by our federal, 

state, and local government partners, civic tech, public 

policy organizations, and other external organizations. 

We will also promote the use of multiple data sharing 

formats where appropriate, such as the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Objective 4.3.

USDA will ensure assets are regularly reviewed 

by creating a process for updating metadata and 

fixing broken links, prioritizing key public data 

assets.

We will maintain and ensure the accuracy and quality of 

open data assets, including USDA data in data.gov, the 

Open Data Platform, and other public data assets. USDA 

will ensure assets are regularly reviewed by creating a 

process for updating data and links that are broken/out-ofdate prioritizing key public data assets. USDA will assess 

processes for soliciting public commentary and requests 

for additional data access. USDA will promote external 

data sharing and explore potential partnership with privacy 

groups and the Chief Information Security Officer to 

ensure data privacy and protection of our open data assets.

Objective 4.4.

Identify data to bring into EDAPT.

We will work to identify key data sources not in EDAPT, 

including those aligned to the Quarterly Strategic Review 

(QSR), and develop a plan to bring that data into EDAPT, 

with the goal of improving access to data, taking advantage of economies of scale, and make analytics work 

more efficient. We will work with data domain executive 

sponsors to develop a template for and publish a data 

management plan.

Data Spotlight – Rural Data Getaway 

In February 2023, USDA’s Rural Development (RD) deployed the Rural Data Gateway - a new resource to make the agency’s data 

for rural projects easier to access for partners and for people living in rural communities. The Rural Data Gateway leverages the 

Open Data Platform, a USDA-wide data visualization platform designed to share data visualizations with the public. The Rural Data 

Gateway strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress 

by making RD’s data more available and easier to access. It features Rural Investments Dashboards that significantly expand 

access to RD financial data through an easy-to-use interface that allows data from more than 65 RD programs to be viewed and 

downloaded. The Gateway and dashboards will help USDA get more resources to the people who need them in rural places.
Goal 5: Analytics for a Purpose

USDA will intentionally adapt to and invest in analytics

processes, techniques, and products to inform

decision-making for key business questions.

The ability to use data to draw insights and inform decision-making underpins all of our investments in governance, workforce, 

tools and platforms, and open data. This new Goal 5 was added to 

the USDA Data Strategy to recognize that data has long played an 

important role in achieving USDA’s mission.

Analytics and data visualizations help USDA practitioners and 

leaders quickly digest complex datasets through key trends, 

patterns, and relationships. Advanced analytics (including, but not 

limited to, artificial intelligence and machine learning) can generate useful insights and also help decision-makers identify process 

improvements or risks to mitigate. 

USDA will continue to analyze different options available for 

gaining insights from data and selecting the right analytical 

approach for the business needs at hand. We commit to extracting 

meaningful insights from organizational data through analytics in 

order to support mission delivery.

FY21-23 Analytics Successes

Research, Education and Economics (REE) 

used data analytics to automate repair

expenditure saving hundreds of labor hours.

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invested in 

creating an interactive R markdown report 

that consolidates data from multiple SNAP 

data systems to identify areas of SNAP 

support for states transitioning out of the 

public health emergency.

Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) 

developed the BIL and IRA Investments by 

State Dashboard, which provides data on 

BIL, IRA, and other funding to each U.S state, 

promoting accountability and transparency in 

Forest Service use of funds and collaboration 

with state partners. 

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 

developed a Recruitment Dashboard that 

provides executives the ability to view how 

recruitment efforts differ across districts, 

states, role type, etc., and allows them to 

identify the greatest challenges to recruitment efforts and respond to them.

Rural Development (RD) developed a 

dashboard that provides real time data to all 

RD staff which demonstrates their impact on 

tribal communities and tribal members.

Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) 

Farm Service Agency developed over 20 

new dashboards. The new Crop Acreage 

Reporting Dashboard helped leadership track 

more than 700 million acres reported on 2.4 

million farms and helped county offices track 

year-to-year comparisons of percentage of 

crop records reported.

Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) 

developed the Avian Flu Dashboard and set 

a new path for outbreak information delivery 

moving forward, which quickly received over 

300,000 views.

Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA) 

developed a dashboard that demonstrates 

the scope of Black Sea grain and oilseed 

trade. Millions of tons of grain are shipped 

through these international waters each year, 

making the Black Sea region a major supplier 

of agricultural commodities worldwide.

11
12

Goal 5: Analytics for a Purpose

USDA will intentionally adapt to and invest in analytics processes, techniques, and products to 

inform decision-making for key business questions.

Objective 5.1.

Further integrate data visualization and advanced 

analytics into USDA’s culture of decision-making.

We will prioritize collaboration with stakeholders such 

as the evidence/evaluation community and research 

community to further integrate data visualization and 

analytics into USDA’s decision-making. We will ensure that 

consistent and accurate data is at the forefront of USDA’s 

processes to evaluate performance and plan for the future.

Objective 5.2.

Standardize principles and best practices for analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). 

We will establish Al Principles and ensure organizational 

commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI. 

USDA will explore creating AI code repositories, developing shared models, and creating a library of use cases 

and tool descriptions. Additionally, USDA will consider 

standing up a community forum for discussion of 

advanced analytics techniques and developing a governing body for AI in consultation with USDA stakeholders.

Objective 5.3.

Promote data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, 

responsible use, and transparency.

We will continue to promote tracking data and AI projects/products through the AI Use Case Inventory and 

help data practitioners understand requirements for the 

responsible use of data and AI. USDA will prioritize training on data and AI ethics and bias through active investments such as the USDA Data Science Training Program 

and the AgLearn platform, as well as new programs.

Objective 5.4.

Increase number of enterprise analytics tools

in EDAPT.

We will increase the enterprise analytics tools and capabilities within EDAPT to ensure practitioners have access 

to the tools they need to utilize data. We will research 

analytics tools and sandboxes for experimentation and 

collaboration within EDAPT. We will also assess architecture which allows the greatest access to data to the lowest 

appropriate level, with the goal of promoting data transparency and autonomy and the democratization of data.

Data Spotlight – Avian Flu Dashboard

In 2022, the Marketing and Regulatory Program developed the Avian Flu Dashboard and set a new path for outbreak information delivery 

moving forward. This publicly accessible dashboard received 300,000+ views and was developed for disseminating situational awareness 

information regarding the Avian Flu outbreak impacting the domestic poultry food sector. The dashboard provides a daily updated overview 

of number of birds, flocks, and states affected by the outbreak along with a timeline of its progress, a map showing impacts on states by 

birds or flock types, and a table that can be searched by state, month/year, or production type. The dashboard eliminates many hours of 

manual work by Public Affairs, the Center for Informatics, and other organizations, which allows personnel to instead respond to other 

needs supporting the Avian Flu outbreak. The dashboard also ensures consistent information is provided to all stakeholders. 
13

Conclusion

The first USDA Data Strategy set the vision to strengthen 

USDA’s data posture to achieve its strategic goals. The 

updated Data Strategy builds on those successes so that 

USDA can continue supporting the American public. In the 

coming months, USDA will translate these goals and objectives into an implementation plan and roadmap. We will also 

implement a monitoring system to drive accountability and 

ensure USDA moves towards our strategic goals. Throughout 

the next three years, we will continue to ensure alignment 

with the USDA Strategic Plan and the Federal Data Strategy 

and adjust as necessary.
14

Overview of our Data Strategy Framework

The content of this Strategy was shaped in conversation with dozens of data leaders across USDA whose inputs were 

invaluable in shaping recommended actions that will have a measurable impact on our service delivery and data 

capabilities. Specifically, four key activities underpin the goals and objectives in this document:

1. Conducted a retrospective on the successes and 

areas for improvement coming from the FY21-23 

USDA Data Strategy. Administered a current 

state assessment by collecting survey responses 

from around 100 data stakeholders and identifying common themes in conversation with critical 

data representatives.

2. Engaged in a benchmarking assessment to 

review the Federal Data Strategy and peer 

Agencies’ data strategies and discuss effective 

actions with Chief Data Officers.

3. Reviewed the Federal Data Strategy, the Evidence 

Act, Executive Orders, the USDA Strategic Plan, 

and internal plans and strategies to refine potential goals and objectives. 

4. Held a data leaders onsite meeting focusing

on future state visioning to outline data-related 

actions and discuss shared opportunities to 

improve our data capacity.

The FY24-26 USDA Data Strategy provides a framework that will support our 29 agencies and offices to leverage 

their data to: inform policy, resource allocation, and risk management; improve service delivery and innovation; expand 

transparency and enable us to meet legislative requirements more easily; streamline performance management; and 

facilitate inter- and intra-agency collaboration and data sharing. This framework draws on peer Agency data strategies, 

an analysis of our Departmental strategic goals and current state of our data capabilities, and recommendations from

our data leaders.

Beginning in January 2023, the USDA Chief Data Officer (CDO) met with CDOs (or CDO-appointed 

representatives) from six federal agencies to discuss organizational challenges and successes 

related to data, construction of their enterprise data strategy and CDO priorities and advice. These 

interviews led us to identify five key enablers for a successful data strategy:

▶ Involve leaders throughout the process to ensure 

buy-in,

▶ Include data stakeholders from across the Department to foster collaboration and ensure strategy 

priorities are well-informed and achievable,

▶ Define a roadmap and reporting structure to 

measure, track, and monitor completion of

strategic objectives,

▶ Align to the mission, vision, and strategy of the 

entire organization, without viewing “data” in a silo,

▶ Follow federal best practices and write objectives 

to meet the needs of federal laws and regulations 

such as the Evidence Act.
Acknowledgments

This document could not have been created without the invaluable contributions of numerous individuals representing 

every Mission Area, Agency, and Departmental Administration / Staff Office, as well as unwavering support from USDA’s 

leadership. We would like to especially thank our group of Assistant Chief Data Officers (ACDOs) who helped shape the 

vision for this strategy and who will play instrumental roles in ensuring its success over the next three years.

Christopher (Chris)

Alvares

USDA Chief Data Officer

Fredy Diaz

USDA Deputy Chief

Data Officer

James (Jim) Barham

Rural Development (RD)

ACDO

Orlando (Rich) Baca

Marketing & Regulatory

Programs (MRP) ACDO

Paola Felix-Rodriguez

Trade & Foreign Agricultural

Affairs (TFAA) ACDO

Elango Thillai

Farm Production &

Conservation (FPAC) ACDO

Chris Rottler

Food, Nutrition, & Consumer

Services (FNCS) ACDO

Ramona Carey

Natural Resources &

Environment (NRE) ACDO

Tamar Khafi

Food Safety & Inspection 

Service (FSIS) ACDO

15

Cynthia (Cyndy) Parr

Research, Education &

Economics (REE) ACDO
Contact Information & Accessibility

For more information or questions regarding this plan, please contact: 

askusda@usda.gov

Additional copies of this Strategic Plan can be downloaded from

USDA’s Web site at: www.usda.gov

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication

for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign

Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. | Issued October 2023 16