Feb. 9, 1889 – New Law Elevates The Department of Agriculture To Cabinet Level

Tuesday 9 February 2010

On Feb. 9, 1889 President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law that elevated the United States Department of Agriculture to Cabinet level. During the 1880s, U.S. farmers had pushed for elevation of the Department of Agriculture to Cabinet level, but were discouraged when bills where passed giving Cabinet status to both the Department of Agriculture and Labor. The bills were eventually killed and the Department of Agriculture was allowed to rise on its own. The department was formed in order to execute policy on farming, agriculture and food, and to promote agricultural trade and production.