Beginning of USDA- Plant and Seed Propagation and Distribution 1825-1900.

The first formally collection of seed by the U.S. government began in 1825 when President John Quincy Adams directed U.S. Consuls to forward rare plants and seeds to the State Department for propagation and distribution.  In 1838, Congress established the Agricultural Section within the Patent Office. One of the responsibilities of this section was to procure and distribute seeds and cuttings. By 1860, the Agricultural Section of the Patent Office was annually distributing over 2.4 million packages of seeds and plants.  In 1862, Congress established the USDA from the Agricultural Section of the Patent Office. One of primary functions of the USDA was “to procure, propagate, and distribute among the people new and valuable seeds and plants.” In 1897, the USDA distributed 20,368,724 packages of seeds and plants. Secretary James Wilson changed the USDA mission in 1900 from “producing and distributing seed to producing & distributing knowledge.” By 1902, seed and plant distribution dropped to 376,759 packages.