Overview of the History of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Susan H. Fugate will introduce the symposium by presenting a brief overview of the history of the United States Department of Agriculture as we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Act to establish the Department.  Her overview will include images from the historic collections of the National Agricultural Library which was established by the 1862 Act as well.  Susan will include information on how conference attendees can access the vast resources of the National Agricultural Library.