The Agricultural Research Service Steven R. Shafer Deputy Administrator Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems

years of “practical and scientific experiments” by USDA

Mission Areas Within USDA

Research, Education, and Economics

2,200+ scientists 2,200+ scientists 9,000 employees 9,000 employees 100+ laboratories 100+ laboratories $1.1 billion annual budget (FY08) $1.1 billion annual budget (FY08) International collaboration International collaboration Partnerships with universities and industry Partnerships with universities and industry In-house scientific research arm of USDA In-house scientific research arm of USDA Farm-to-table research scope Farm-to-table research scope Information and technology transfer Information and technology transfer 22 National Programs 22 National Programs 1,100+ projects 1,100+ projects ARS Profile

Mission of ARS To conduct research to:To conduct research to: Ensure high quality, safe food and other products; Ensure high quality, safe food and other products; Assess the nutritional needs of Americans; Assess the nutritional needs of Americans; Sustain a competitive agricultural economy; Sustain a competitive agricultural economy; Enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and Enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and Provide economic opportunities to rural citizens and society as a whole. Provide economic opportunities to rural citizens and society as a whole.

How Do We Meet Our Mission?   Through National Programs – –A National Program is a set of research projects directed toward common goals to solve agricultural problems of high National priority. National Programs are outcome driven, e.g., “A safer food supply”

Role of National Program Staff Maintain relevance of research program through: Maintain relevance of research program through: –Priority setting –Budget development –Program analysis –Reporting to Congress and stakeholders –Program coordination

ARS National Programs Food Animal Production Animal Health Arthropod Pests of Animals and Humans Aquaculture Water Availability and Watershed ManagementWater Availability and Watershed Management Global Change, Soil and EmissionsGlobal Change, Soil and Emissions Bioenergy and BioproductsBioenergy and Bioproducts Agricultural Waste and Byproduct UtilizationAgricultural Waste and Byproduct Utilization Pasture, Forage and Range Land SystemsPasture, Forage and Range Land Systems Agricultural System Competitiveness and SustainabilityAgricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability Animal Production & Protection Natural Resources & Sustainable Agric. Sys. Plant, Microbial & Insect Germplasm Conservation & Development Plant Biological & Molecular Processes Plant Diseases Crop Protection & Quarantine Crop Production Methyl Bromide Alternatives Crop Production& Protection Human Nutrition Food Safety New Uses, Quality & Marketability of Plant & Animal Products Nutrition, Food Safety & Quality Under recruitment

Agriculture & Natural Resources: Mission To develop scientific knowledge and technology to ensure safe and affordable food, feed, fiber, and sustainable energy supplies, while enhancing the environment and quality of life for producers, rural communities, and the Nation. To develop scientific knowledge and technology to ensure safe and affordable food, feed, fiber, and sustainable energy supplies, while enhancing the environment and quality of life for producers, rural communities, and the Nation.

Benefits of National Programs  C oordination  Communication  Empowerment

ARS Locations

ARS Partners In Research USDA USDA Other Government Agencies Other Government Agencies State Universities State Universities International Organizations International Organizations –U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization –World Bank –Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research –Tropical Ag Research & Higher Ed Center –U.S./Israel BARD

How ARS Plans and Sets Research Priorities Stakeholder input Stakeholder input Program planning cycle Program planning cycle

ARS Customers & Stakeholders Action and Regulatory Agencies Action and Regulatory Agencies Producers–Farmers and Ranchers Producers–Farmers and Ranchers Industry Industry Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) State and Local Governments State and Local Governments Consumers Consumers

ARS Priorities Other Agencies President, Secretary & Congress Customers Scientific Community

ARS Scientific Peer Review Process Verify scientific merit and programmatic relevance. Verify scientific merit and programmatic relevance. At least once every 5 years; majority of reviewers external scientists. At least once every 5 years; majority of reviewers external scientists.

Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) is Responsible For: Panel organization & composition Panel organization & composition Distribution of project plans Distribution of project plans Reviewer instruction and orientation Reviewer instruction and orientation The distribution of results in ARS The distribution of results in ARS Notifies panelists of the Agency response to recommendations Notifies panelists of the Agency response to recommendations Ad hoc or re-reviews of project plans Ad hoc or re-reviews of project plans

Information Dissemination and Technology Transfer Scientific Publications Scientific Publications Office of Technology Transfer Office of Technology Transfer National Agricultural Library National Agricultural Library Information Staff Information Staff

Goals of Technology Transfer Public mission – a problem solving agency Public mission – a problem solving agency Transfer of technology is the primary objective --- not income Transfer of technology is the primary objective --- not income Protect intellectual property only if it enhances technology transfer Protect intellectual property only if it enhances technology transfer Facilitate development of cooperative research agreements Facilitate development of cooperative research agreements

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements ARS Office of Technology Transfer ARS Office of Technology Transfer Additional operating funds for ARS Additional operating funds for ARS Projects reviewed for benefits to public Projects reviewed for benefits to public

ARS Program Structure Each person supports the research program of the scientist National Program Leaders Area Directors Scientist Lead Scientist Research Leader Center, Institute, Laboratory Director

Leading America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.