The Homeland Security Division (HSD), under the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination, serves as USDA's focal point for coordination of homeland security policy, training, and exercises. In addition, HSD serves as USDA’s lead on the Food and Agriculture (FA) Sector Government Coordinating Council (GCC). Specifically, HSD’s mission includes the following activities:

• Policy HSD advises the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on Homeland Security, National Security, and Emergency Response issues. In addition, HSD coordinates National and Homeland Security policy across all USDA agencies and offices and represents USDA’s policy interests externally at White House Interagency Policy Committees.
  
  
• Training and Exercises HSD works to sustain an all-hazards emergency management and homeland security training and exercise program within USDA. Activities include assisting with implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) throughout the Department coordination of input to the National Exercise Scheduling System (NEXS). USDA exercises are conducted under Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidelines and include evaluations, the identification of corrective actions and the development of improvement plans. HSD participates in the planning, conduct and evaluation of inter-agency exercises and prepares senior USDA representatives for participation in major exercises. In addition, HSD represents the Department at interagency training and exercise meetings and the Exercise and Evaluation Sub-Interagency Policy Coordination Committee (E&E Sub-IPC) meetings.
  
  
• Food and Agriculture Sector Coordination The FA Sector is one of 18 critical infrastructure sectors and is comprised of complex production, processing, and delivery systems. The mission of the FA Sector is to protect against a disruption in the food supply that would pose a serious threat to public health, safety, welfare, or to the national economy. At USDA, leadership for Sector Specific Agency responsibilities rests with OHSEC’s HSD, which coordinates with all USDA agencies and offices to meet sector goals.