RIVA Solutions Celebrates the Launch of USDA’s Newly Redesigned Website 

RIVA Solutions is thrilled to announce the launch of USDA’s newly redesigned website, USDA.gov. As part of USDA’s Web Modernization Initiative, this milestone represents a collaborative effort to deliver a modern, accessible, and user-focused digital experience. The project, in partnership with USDA’s Office of Communications (OC), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and Office of Customer Experience (OCX), demonstrates RIVA’s commitment to driving innovation, accessibility and improving government digital experiences.

A Collaborative Effort with Federal Leadership

Since its inception in 2020, USDA’s Web Modernization Initiative has been a model of federal innovation, aligning with the General Services Administration (GSA)’s standards and leveraging expertise from GSA’s Centers of Excellence. The redesign of USDA.gov, which began in late 2022, reflects a data-driven, user-informed approach to meet the evolving needs of USDA’s diverse audiences.

This extensive modernization effort involved input from USDA agencies, user research, and workshops, ensuring the website serves its broad customer base—including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the public—efficiently and effectively. USDA.gov currently averages 222 million page views annually, highlighting its critical role in connecting users with vital information and resources.

“The redesign goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating an accessible and intuitive digital experience that reflects USDA’s mission to serve and empower communities across the nation,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, SVP of Human Centered Design and Digital Experience

Highlights of the Redesign

RIVA worked closely with USDA to implement transformative changes, ensuring the website meets and exceeds federal web and accessibility standards including those from OMB’s Digital Public Experience (M-23-22) Memorandum–while optimizing the user experience. Key enhancements include:

• Improved Accessibility: Fully compliant with federal accessibility standards, the redesigned USDA.gov ensures equal access for all users, including individuals with disabilities.
• Mobile Optimization: The website is designed to adapt seamlessly to any device, making USDA resources and tools accessible anytime, anywhere.
• Data-Driven Human Centered Design: User surveys, interviews, and traffic analysis informed design guidelines and content strategy, ensuring an intuitive and streamlined user experience.
• Enhanced Search Functions: Improved search capabilities and dynamic content lists simplify content findability for faster access to information.
• Efficient Content Delivery: Optimized page-building features and reduced manual tasks ensure consistency and efficiency across the site.
• Drupal Development and Migration: Leveraged Drupal’s robust platform to modernize content management, enabling streamlined updates and improved scalability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Workshops and ongoing user input ensured the redesign aligns with USDA’s unique needs and mission.

USDA.gov’s redesign is more than a technology upgrade—it’s a leap forward in delivering a best-in-class digital experience for USDA’s customers. The website serves as a foundation for future innovations, setting a standard for federal web modernization efforts.

“The success of this project reflects the power of collaboration. RIVA is honored to partner with USDA to create a platform that truly serves its stakeholders. This launch underscores our commitment to leveraging data, technology, and human centered design to help federal agencies achieve their mission,” said Jenny Bonner, COO of RIVA Solutions.