USDA: United States Department of Agriculture. This is the central federal department whose initially role was to provide the farmers of America with a source of knowledge about farming, somewhere a farmer could turn to obtain general information. This role continued until the Depression years when, due to low prices for agricultural commodities, the USDA initiated for the first time support of commodity prices and farm income. It has broad authority to address agricultural issues, to undertake a variety of studies, research, and investigations and to engage in other information-gathering activities. The
USDA works in partnership with state, county, municipal, and tribal governments to use a range of tools to protect the consuming public and farmers and ranchers.
Variable rate: Applying chemicals at a variable rate through the field in order to get them placed only where necessary.
Volunteer corn: corn that comes up in fields planted to crops other than corn.
