SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Officials and employees from many of the 17 agencies under the auspices of the USDA in Illinois gathered at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 14 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its establishment by President Abraham Lincoln, who championed the fledgling USDA as “The People’s Department.”

Leading the celebration were officials from USDA agencies of the Food & Agricultural Council (FAC): Sherrie Giamanco, Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive director, Paula Hingson, National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) acting assistant state conservationist, and Colleen Callahan, Rural Development state director.

In addition to recognizing the positive impact USDA has had on the lives of Americans, the event featured a special appearance by former USDA Secretary John R. Block, along with a commemoration of Lincoln’s Morrill Act. Callahan said the ceremony came at a time when U.S. farmers are in special need of assistance from many of the USDA’s umbrella agencies.

“It really is an appropriate year, as it turns out, to celebrate the USDA’s anniversary and showcase how its different agencies have continued to work together over time,” she said. “This is a time to showcase how USDA has evolved since President Lincoln created it during the Civil War.

“As it has evolved, it has continued to be what (he) intended it to be upon its creation, and that is The People’s Department. This year indicates how USDA has continued to work to meet the needs of everyone who has been impacted by the drought.”

Event speakers delved into how FAC agencies help support farmers and rural communities, from the FSA’s invaluable service and advice, to NRCS conservation program financing and Rural Development’s assistance to small communities upgrading water supply systems.

Also noted was the evolution of federal crop insurance programs administered by USDA agencies. “Even in the drought of 1988 we didn’t have the kind of risk management programs in place that we have today,” Callahan said. “Now we have the Risk Management Agency, that coordinates crop insurance needs.”

Block is a Gilson, Ill., native who headed the USDA under the appointment of President Ronald Reagan. Callahan said Block, who was Illinois’ ag secretary before leading the USDA, shared stories of his experiences before being honored by legislators including state Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg).

Moffitt sponsored House Bill 5540 to recognize Block for his distinguished career and life-long contributions to Illinois’ agribusiness industry.

“The legislators voted to rename the Illinois Department of Agriculture Building the John R. Block Agriculture Building,” Callahan said. “The University of Illinois presented a painting (to Block) commemorating (Lincoln’s) Morrill Act, which established land grant universities.

“In addition, the dean of the U of I’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Bob Hauser, presented a framed painting to Secretary Block.”

Block, whose dedication to the family farm began in Knox County in the 1940s, served as USDA secretary from 1981-86 and as Illinois ag director from 1977-81.

The USDA was established to correct an unfair advantage commodity buyers held over farmers, according to a special USDA publication: “Trade and commodity buyers had more current and detailed market information than did the isolated farmers, which prevented farmers from getting a fair price for their goods.

“The new agricultural statistics program would provide sellers and buyers equal information.”

The Division of Statistics— the precursor to the National Agricultural Statistics Service  – was established in 1863 to provide monthly reports about crop production and livestock inventories, matters of critical importance to the Union during the Civil War.

The Aug. 14 event was emceed by RFD’s Rita Frazer.