Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation's 30th Secretary of the Agriculture. As USDA's leader, Vilsack is working hard to strengthen the American agricultural economy, build vibrant rural communities and secure a stronger future for the American middle class.

Kathleen A. Merrigan is the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Working alongside Secretary Tom Vilsack, Merrigan oversees the day-to-day operation of USDA's many programs and spearheads the $149 billion USDA budget process.

The Blueprint for Stronger Service aims to build a modern and efficient service organization that is closely timed with technological innovations - and better suited to respond to 21st century agricultural challenges.

This FY 2011 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) is the year-end progress report of USDA. It reviews the strategic goals and objectives the Department set for itself at the beginning of the fiscal year and compares initial targets to actual performance.