<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#">
  <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="Openness and Transparency principles permeate all levels and stages of mis" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/open" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Open Government at USDA" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Openness and Transparency principles permeate all levels and stages of mis" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Openness and Transparency principles permeate all levels and stages of mis" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Open Government at USDA" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/open" />
<meta name="msvalidate.01" content="36F1A09D7116D0E8D667792CE040A6C3" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="qUN2GJfA5CL2sBzEQEtHGaF7tScF8afQLCP2MfqO5YA" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usda.gov/open" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.usda.gov/node/6370" />
<script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/primary/google_tag.script.js?sbta0g" defer></script>

    <title>Open Government at USDA | USDA</title>
    <!-- Favicons
    ================================================== -->
    <!-- 128x128 -->
    <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/ico" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.ico" />
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.png" />
    <!-- 192x192, as recommended for Android
    http://updates.html5rocks.com/2014/11/Support-for-theme-color-in-Chrome-39-for-Android
    -->
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-192.png" />
    <!-- 57x57 (precomposed) for iPhone 3GS, pre-2011 iPod Touch and older Android devices -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-57.png">
    <!-- 72x72 (precomposed) for 1st generation iPad, iPad 2 and iPad mini -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-72.png">
    <!-- 114x114 (precomposed) for iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and post-2011 iPod Touch -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-114.png">
    <!-- 144x144 (precomposed) for iPad 3rd and 4th generation -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-144.png">

    <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/contrib/stable/css/filter/filter.caption.css?sbta0g" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/entity_embed/css/entity_embed.filter.caption.css?sbta0g" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.css?sbta0g" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/css/accordion.frontend.css?sbta0g" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/usda/css/styles.css?sbta0g" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/themes/usda/css/print.css?sbta0g" />

    
    <!-- We participate in the US government's analytics program. See the data at analytics.usa.gov. -->
    <script async type="text/javascript" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=USDA&sp=lookup,locate&exts=pdf,xls,zip,jpg,gif,mp3&dclink=true&yt=true&enhlink=true" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script>
    <!-- Google Analytics USDA -->
    <script>
      (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
      (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
      m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
      })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

      ga('create', 'UA-27627304-1', 'auto');
      ga('create', 'UA-96909960-1', 'auto', {'name': 'usdaTracker'}); // New tracker.
      ga("create", "UA-27627304-46", {"cookieDomain":"auto"});

      ga("require", "displayfeatures");

      ga('send', 'pageview');
      ga('usdaTracker.send', 'pageview'); // Send page view for new tracker

      ga('send', 'event', 'MP3', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');
      ga('send', 'event', 'WAV', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');

    </script>
  </head>
  <body class="path-node page-node-type-page">
        <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N65GDDH" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
      <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
    
<a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav">
  Skip to main content
</a>
<header class="usa-header usa-header-extended" role="banner" aria-label="Page Header">
  <div class="usa-banner">
    <div class="usa-accordion">
      <header class="usa-banner-header" aria-label="Official United States Government Website Disclaimer">
        <div class="usa-grid usa-banner-inner">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/favicons/flag-favicon-57.png" alt="U.S. flag">
        <p>An official website of the United States government</p>
        <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-banner-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner">
          <span class="usa-banner-button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
        </button>
        </div>
      </header>
      <div class="usa-banner-content usa-grid usa-accordion-content" id="gov-banner" aria-hidden="true">
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-gov usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
            <p>
                <strong>
                    Official websites use .gov
                </strong>
                <br>
                A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-ssl usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-https.svg" alt="SSL">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
          <p>
              <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong>
              <br>
              A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title banner-lock-description"><title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title><desc id="banner-lock-description">A locked padlock</desc><path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path></svg></span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-banner">
  <div class="usa-navbar">
    <button class="usa-menu-btn">Menu</button>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>
</div>

  <nav class="usa-nav" aria-label="Navigation">
    <div class="usa-nav-inner">
      <button class="usa-nav-close">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/close.svg" alt="close">
      </button>
          <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-main-menu-menu" id="block-usda-main-menu" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-main-menu-menu">Main navigation</h2>
  

        
        <ul class="usa-nav-primary usa-accordion">
          <li>
                            <a href="/" class="usa-nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-2">
            <span>Topics</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-2" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/topics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/animals" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6503">Animals</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/biotechnology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6440">Biotechnology</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/broadband" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26733">Broadband</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/conservation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6372">Conservation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/coronavirus" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42619">Coronavirus</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/data" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6509">Data</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/disaster-resource-center" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42098">Disaster Resource Center</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/farming" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6691">Farming</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/food-and-nutrition" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6376">Food and Nutrition</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/forestry" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6422">Forestry</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/health-and-safety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6418">Health and Safety</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/invasive-species" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51338">Invasive Species</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/opioids" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/21406">Opioids</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/organic" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6151">Organic</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/plants" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6505">Plants</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/recreation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6710">Recreation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/research-and-science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6374">Research and Science</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/rural" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6423">Rural</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/trade" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6411">Trade</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/urban" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48397">Urban Agriculture</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-3">
            <span>Our Agency</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-3" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/about-usda" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6139">About USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/agencies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6421">Agencies</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/careers" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6399">Careers</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/employee-services" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/20196">Employee Services</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/farmbill" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/33270">Farm Bill</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/future-of-work" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48224">Future of Work</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/initiatives" title="Initiatives and Highlighted Programs from across the department." data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6698">Initiatives</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/staff-offices" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6695">Staff Offices</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-4">
            <span>Priorities</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-4" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/priorities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/equity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/54195">Equity at USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/climate-solutions" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49668">Climate Solutions</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/nutrition-security" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49669">Food and Nutrition Security</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/markets" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48905">More, New, and Better Market Opportunities</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-5">
            <span>Media</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-5" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-news-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6512">Agency News Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/agency-reports">Agency Reports</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/blog" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/blog">Blog</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/digital" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6704">Digital</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/press-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/press-releases">Press Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/radio" title="Latest Radio news from daily newsline and weekly features" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/radio">Radio</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
        </ul>
  



  </nav>


      <form class="usa-search usa-search-small js-search-form" action="https://usdasearch.usda.gov/search" action="get">
        <div role="search">
          <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓">
          <input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="usda">
          <label class="usa-sr-only" for="header-search">Search usda.gov</label>
                    <input id="header-search" autocomplete="off" accesskey="i" name="query" type="search">
          <button type="submit">
            <span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span>
          </button>
          <input name="commit" type="hidden" value="Search">
        </div>
      </form>
      <div class="usa-nav-secondary">
            <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu">Utility navigation</h2>
  

        
              <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usa-nav-secondary-links">
              <li>
        <a href="/glossary" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6282">Glossary</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li>
        Recalls
              </li>
          <li>
        Contact Us
              </li>
        </ul>
  


  </nav>


      </div>
    </div>
  </nav>
</header>
<div class="usa-overlay"></div>



  <div class="usda-breadcrumb-with-sidebar">
  
  </div>


<main id="main-content"
  class="usa-grid usa-section usa-content usa-layout-docs with-sidebar    ">

      <aside class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-layout-docs-sidenav">
        <div>
    <nav aria-labelledby="block-alternate-side-navigation-menu" id="block-alternate-side-navigation" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-alternate-side-navigation-menu">Alternate Side Navigation</h2>
  

        
              <ul>
              <li>
        <a href="/accessibility-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6539">Accessibility Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        Ask USDA
              </li>
          <li>
        Contact Us
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/federal-web-site-inventory" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6118">Federal Web Site Inventory</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/glossary" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6282">Glossary</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/non-discrimination-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6409">Non-Discrimination Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/open" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6370" class="is-active">Open Government at USDA</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/plain-writing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6095">Plain Language Writing in USDA</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/policies-and-links" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6232">Policies and Links</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        <a href="/privacy-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6516">Privacy Policy</a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  


  </nav>

  </div>

    </aside>
  
  <div class="usa-width-three-fourths usa-layout-docs-main_content">
    

    <div id="block-usda-page-title" class="usda-block usda-page-title-block">
  
    
      
  <h1 class="usda-page-title"><span>Open Government at USDA</span>
</h1>


  </div>
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
<div id="block-usda-content" class="usda-block">
  
    
      <article>

  
    

  
  <div>
    
  <div class="usda-section-image-content-wrapper">
<div data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.embedded" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="8f3cf48b-3c04-4e0a-8382-e13583441c64" class="align-left embedded-entity" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]"><div>
      
            <div>  <img src="/sites/default/files/img/usda-open-gov-plan-thumb.jpg" width="80" height="71" alt loading="lazy">

</div>
      
  </div>
</div>


<p><strong>Openness</strong> and <strong>Transparency</strong> principles permeate all levels and stages of mission/business delivery at USDA. The 2016 updates in the USDA Open Government Plan 4.0 address operational outcomes achieved since the last Plan update (v3, 2014), along with planned future improvements in specific Open subject areas.</p>

<p>This USDA Open Government Plan 4.0 Update (PDF, 874 KB) is the fifth iteration of Open planning at the Department. It is preceded by Open Plans 1.0 (2010), 1.1 (2010), 2.0 (2012) and 3.0 (2014). Plan 4.0 continues to build from its predecessors; in that Plans 1.0 and 1.1 were primarily foundational in nature and focused on establishing and launching basic Open structures and procedures, while Plan 2.0 emphasized the promotion of new Open media and Open cultural changes. Plan 3.0 reported wide ranging successes and announced progressive future objectives in practicing Open as a business norm and accepting Open as a strategic organizational value.</p>

<p>The OGP V 4.0 follows the structure and substance as outlined in White House/OSTP guidance referenced by memorandum (Feb. 24, 2014) and supplemental guidance. This plan introduces the inclusion of four new <strong>Expanded Initiatives</strong>, which include observations on Open Innovation Methods, Access to Scientific Data and Publications, Open Source Software, and Spending Information.</p>

<p>To build on the advances in the previous Open Government Plans, Open Government Plan 4.0 continues to align with USDA's Strategic Plan 2018-2022 (PDF, 1.8 MB).</p>

<ul>
	<li>Read previous Open Gov plans</li>
	<li>Implementation Plan to Increase Public Access to Results of USDA-funded Scientific Research (PDF, 670 KB)</li>
</ul>
</div>

<h2>Data Sets</h2>

<p>USDA has published many datasets to enhance transparency, increase responsiveness and stimulate economic opportunities with our stakeholders.</p>

<p>Through the USDA's Data Stewardship Working Group, the Department continues to identify new datasets for public release, or enhancements to those that are already available.</p>

<p>Dozens of published datasets have been deemed high-value and remain popular among the public, including:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation and Cost Data</li>
	<li>MyPyramid Raw Food Data</li>
	<li>Farmers Markets Geographic Data</li>
	<li>Biotechnology Regulatory Services public data file (permits, notifications, and petitions)</li>
	<li>Census of Agriculture Race, Ethnicity and Gender Profile Data</li>
	<li>Federal Cost of School Food Program Data</li>
	<li>Meat, Poultry, and Egg Inspection Directory by Establishment Name</li>
</ul>

<p>Visit the USDA Open Data Catalog.</p>

<h2>Regulation Reform</h2>

<p>Former President Obama outlined his plan to create a 21st-century regulatory system - one that protects public health and welfare while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. Among other things, his Executive Order on Regulation said the following: Always consider costs and reduce burdens for American businesses and consumers when developing rules; expand opportunities for public participation and public comment; simplify rules; promote freedom of choice; and ensure that regulations are driven by real science.</p>

<p>The President also called for an unprecedented government-wide review of regulations already on the books. As a result of that review, more than two dozen agencies identified initiatives to reduce burdens and save money.</p>

<p>Agencies shall regularly report on the status of their retrospective review efforts to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Agency reports should describe past progress, anticipated accomplishments, and proposed timelines for relevant actions, with an emphasis on high-priority reforms.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Update - January 2016 (PDF, 112 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - July 2015 (PDF, 215 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - February 2015 (PDF, 120 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - July 2014 (PDF, 237 KB) | July 2014 Text-only (accessible) version (TXT, 31.2 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - January 2014 (PDF, 164 KB) | January 2014 Text-only (accessible) version (TXT, 22.8 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - January 2013 (PDF, 125 KB) | January 2013 Text-only (accessible) version (TXT, 18.5 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - July 2013 (PDF, 134 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - September 2012 (PDF, 594 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - May 2012 (PDF, 94.1 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report - January 2012 (PDF, 548 KB)</li>
</ul>

<hr>
<ul>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Review Final Plans (PDF, 132 KB)</li>
	<li>Agency Retrospective Preliminary Plans (PDF, 458 KB)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Plain Writing Act</h2>

<p>Former President Obama emphasized the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration" in his January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government (PDF, 141 KB).</p>

<p>The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (PDF, 125 KB) requires that all federal agencies write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use."</p>

<p>Visit USDA's Plain Writing page to learn more.</p>

<h2>Stay Connected</h2>

<p>There are a variety of opportunities for you to stay engaged and participate, collaborate and learn more about our activities.</p>

<p>USDA Blog</p>

<p>USDA on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube</p>

  </div>

</article>

  </div>

  </div>

</main>


  <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer-slim">
    <div class="usa-grid usa-footer-return-to-top">
      Return to top
    </div>
      <div>
    <div class="usa-footer-primary-section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="block-mainnavigation-2-menu" id="block-mainnavigation-2" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-mainnavigation-2-menu">Main navigation - Footer</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list">
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/topics" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/our-agency" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/priorities" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/media" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  



          </nav>
  </div>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer-secondary_section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav usa-width-two-thirds" aria-labelledby="block-usda-footernavigation-menu" id="block-usda-footernavigation" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-footernavigation-menu">Footer navigation</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usda-footer-navigation">
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Pandemic Assistance
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Contact Us
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/sitemap" data-drupal-link-system-path="sitemap">Site Map</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/policies-and-links" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6232">Policies and Links</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/our-agency/about-usda/performance" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6373">Our Performance</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Careers
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Report Fraud on USDA Contracts
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Inspector General
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/plain-writing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6095">Plain Language Writing in USDA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/open" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6370" class="is-active">Open</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ogc/office-information-affairs/foia-division" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45641">FOIA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/accessibility-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6539">Accessibility Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/privacy-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6516">Privacy Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/non-discrimination-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6409">Non-Discrimination Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/oascr/civil-rights-statements" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34642">Anti-Harassment Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Information Quality
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        USA.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        WhiteHouse.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/federal-web-site-inventory" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6118">eGov</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Feedback
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/nofear" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26595">No FEAR Act Data</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Office of Special Counsel
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Whistleblower Protection Coordinator
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/vulnerability-disclosure-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42655">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ocfo/plans-reports/agency-financial-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49604">Agency Financial Reports</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/partner-portal" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53405">USDA CARES Partner Portal</a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  


          </nav>
    <div id="block-constantcontactsignuplist" class="usda-block">
  
    
      
            <div><div class="usa-sign_up-block usa-width-one-third">

        <h3 class="usa-sign_up-header">Sign Up for Updates</h3>

  <a style="color:white;font-weight:bold;" class="usa-button usa-button" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target=

        "_blank">Subscribe</a>

      </div>

    </div>

  </div></div>
      
  </div>

  </div>

    <div class="usa-grid usda-footer-branding">
        <div>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>

      <div class="footer-social">
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-twitter" href="https://www.twitter.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Twitter</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Facebook</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/usda" target="_top"><span>USDA on LinkedIn</span></a>
          <a alt="USDA Constant Contact" class="usa-link-constant-contact" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target="_top"><span>USDA Constant Contact</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/usdagov/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Instagram</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-flickr" href="https://flickr.com/usdagov" rel="publisher" target="_top"><span>USDA on Flickr</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Youtube</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social">
          <div class="footer-social-set">
            <a class="usa-link-rss" href="/rss-feeds" target="_top"><span>USDA RSS</span></a>
          </div>
        </div>

      </div>
    </div>
  </footer>

  </div>

    
    <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/6370","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"^https?:\/\/[^\/]+\\.(gov|us|mil)\/","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":true,"extAlertText":"You are now leaving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website and entering an external link or a third-party site.\n\nThe USDA website provides links to other websites to provide additional information that may be useful or interesting, and is being provided in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the content you are viewing on the website. USDA is providing these links for your reference. Once you access another site through a link that we provide, you are subject to the copyright and licensing restrictions of the new site.\n\nIt is the sole responsibility of you, the user of this site, to carefully examine the content of the site and all linked pages for privacy, copyright and licensing restrictions and to secure all necessary permissions if applicable.","mailtoClass":"0","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":null}},"ckeditorAccordion":{"accordionStyle":{"collapseAll":1,"keepRowsOpen":0,"animateAccordionOpenAndClose":1,"openTabsWithHash":1}},"ajax":[],"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"f8aee0238b8c9d927e579055ca13b7d6b049c5bab4784fb84ace390e08c3ba67"}}</script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/uswds.min.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/matchHeight.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/usda.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/grid.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/js/accordion.frontend.min.js?sbta0g"></script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
    /*<![CDATA[*/
    (function() {
    var sz = document.createElement('script'); sz.type = 'text/javascript'; sz.async = true;
    sz.src = '//us1.siteimprove.com/js/siteanalyze_63343.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(sz, s);
    })();
    /*]]>*/
    </script>
  </body>
</html>