Image:US-DeptOfAgriculture-Seal2.svg

Seal of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The USDA seal was created in 1895. It was adapted for use as a general identifier in 1980, but those usages were replaced with the USDA Logo in 1996. The seal has been withdrawn from use as a departmental identifier, though it is still used on legal materials and other internal uses.

Two and three-eights inches in diameter (azure), a shock of corn (or), upon a base (vert) an American plough proper. All within a double annulet (argent), outer roped, inner beaded, charged with the inscription: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, and at the base, a scroll bearing the legend: "1862.AGRICULTURE IS THE FOUNDATION OF MANUFACTURE AND COMMERCE. 1889." (or). A diapered background of 44 stars (argent) for the States of the Union.

The dates on the scroll represent the year the Department was founded by act of Congress (1862), and the year the Department was made an Executive Office headed by a Secretary of cabinet rank (1889). The 44 stars represent the states in the Union in 1889.

See here and here for more information.

Extracted from a PDF version of the [http://www.climatescience.gov/infosheets/factsheet3/ Overview of the CCSP Strategic Plan] (direct PDF URL [1]).

The seal was originally unveiled on June 21, 1895.

U.S. Government. The original seal was designed by A. H. Baldwin, a USDA artist.

Public domain, though other legal restrictions apply.

USDA Symbols or logos are intended for the official use of the United States Department of Agriculture only. They are expressly excluded from use to imply endorsement of a commercial product or service. The symbol or logo may not be used by anyone outside of USDA without permission.[2]