United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
 
About ARS
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The Agricultural Research Service (ARS)is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table. Here's a few rough numbers to illustrate the scope of our organization:
  • 1,200 research projects within 21 National Programs
  • 2,100 scientists
  • 6,000 other employees
  • 100 research locations including a few in other countries
  • $1.1 billion fiscal year 2009 budget

    • Mission Statement
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    ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to:
  • ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products
  • assess the nutritional needs of Americans
  • sustain a competitive agricultural economy
  • enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and
  • provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

    • Vision
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    The ARS vision is to lead America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.

    ARS & You
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    For a few examples of what we've done for you, see " What Does the Agricultural Research Service Do for You?"

    Administrators
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    The ARS Administrator is Dr. Edward B. Knipling. Dr. Caird E. Rexroad, Jr. is the Associate Administrator, Research Management and Operations and Dr. Judith B. St. John is the Acting Associate Administrator, Research Operations. For more information see Biographical Sketches of our Administrators.

    Research
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    We take great care in designing and organizing our research effort, and we listen—and respond—to those with a stake in the outcome.  More information can be found in The Research Enterpriseand The Big Picture of ARS Research.

    Plans and Reports
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    We follow a strategic plan we develop to meet our stakeholders' needs and support USDA's mission. We check our progress in carrying out that plan, and we modify it as circumstances require. See all our Plans and Reports.

    Research, Education and Economics
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    ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics (REE)mission area. The others are National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Economic Research Service (ERS), and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

    Budget
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    Since we are an agency of the Research, Education and Economics mission area of USDA, Congress establishes our annual budget on the basis of the President's proposed budget and research priorities. Our budget for fiscal year 2009 is about $1.1 billion.

    Partnering
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    Our scientists frequently collaborate with research partners from universities, companies, other organizations and other countries. See more about Partnering and Technology Transfer.


    		     
    Last Modified: 10/21/2009