The Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD) of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) advances USDA’s leadership role in promoting global economic growth, agricultural trade, and food security through agricultural training and technical assistance, and food assistance programs. In partnership with the leading universities in the United States, OCBD programs foster economic development and strengthen institutions to build markets for American agricultural exports while contributing to U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. The overarching functions of the office are carried out by administering USDA food assistance programs, facilitating cooperative knowledge sharing exchanges, and managing capacity building programs in developing countries globally.