USDA researches and develops new areas in agricultural statistics to produce charts, reports, and maps.

USDA carries out basic and applied research to study biological, physical, and social sciences related to very diverse forests and rangelands.

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center allows users to access resources related to alternative agricultural enterprises and crops as well as alternative cropping systems.

The Animal Welfare Information Center provides information for improved animal care and use in research, teaching, and testing.

The Rural Information Center provides information services for rural communities, officials, organizations and citizens.

USDA provides an online resource which aggregates and indexes information on a vast number of agricultural topics for USDA employees to leverage.

The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) studies and evaluates these food assistance programs within numerous topic areas, including program outcomes, program operations and integrity, vulnerable populations, the relationship between food assistance programs and the general economy, and food security in the United States.

The Invasive Species Management program examines the economic issues related to managing invasive pests in increasingly global agricultural markets and focuses on national decision-making concerning invasive species of agricultural significance or affecting, or affected by, USDA programs.

USDA performs economic and policy research to ensure a competitive agricultural system, a safe food supply, harmony between agriculture and the environment, and an enhanced quality of life for rural Americans.