The U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building is an office building located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building in 2026
Edwin Morris relief panels on the windows at the rear of the building, facing C Street
Seaman A. Knapp
Videos
Seaman Asahel Knapp was an American physician, college instructor, and administrator.
United States Department of Agriculture South Building
…stone arches form a dramatic accent on Independence Avenue. The soffits of the bridges are faced with Guastavino tile. The east bridge is dedicated to Seaman A. Knapp, while the west bridge commemorates Agriculture Secretary James Wilson. The new building contained laboratory space as well as offices. It was originally…
Seaman A. Knapp
Memorial plaque dedicated to Knapp at the Agriculture Department building, where a pedestrian bridge was named after him
The boll weevil caused trouble for southern farmers after it entered the United States in 1892, creating an interest in farm demonstrations as a way to show farmers how to deal with the pest most effectively. This provided the foundations for formal Cooperative Extension work, which followed in 1914.