ARS Strategic Plan

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service, in compliance with the

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-62),

has developed a five year strategic plan covering Fiscal Years 1998 to

2002. The proposed ARS Draft Strategic Plan presents the work of the

Agency against five broad societal outcomes and twelve general goals/

initiatives, most of the latter are taken, verbatim, from Section 801

``Purposes of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education'' of the

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-

127). When finalized, the ARS Strategic Plan will be supplemented by

one or more implementation plans that will link, in greater detail, the

scientific work of the Agency to this plan. Within the U.S. Department

of Agriculture, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has

been given lead responsibility for securing Departmental, Congressional

and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of Subagency plans.

Each agency is responsible for securing input from its employees,

customers, stakeholders, and partners. The finalized Strategic Plan

will take effect on October 1, 1997. The ARS Draft Strategic Plan can

also be found, electronically, on the ARS Home Page on Internet (http:/

/www.ars.usda.gov).

DATES: Comments on the ARS Draft Strategic Plan must be submitted, in

writing or electronically, to the addresses shown below by August 21,

1996.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit comments to David A. Rust,

Program Planning Advisor, Agricultural Research Service, Building 005,

Room 112, 10300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, Maryland 20705; FAX to 301-

504-6191; or electronically [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David A. Rust, Program Planning Advisor, Agricultural Research Service,

Building 005, Room 112, 10300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, Maryland

20705; FAX 301-504-6191; electronically [email protected]; or telephone

301-504-6233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ARS is the principal in-house research

agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Fiscal Year 1996, ARS

received an appropriations from Congress of $710 million which

supported 1,200 research projects at 104 locations involving

approximately 1,950 scientists.

Dated: July 11, 1996.

Robert J. Reginato,

Associate Administrator.

Contents

Background

Introduction

Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles, and Values

Key External Factors

Key Internal Factors

Customers, Beneficiaries, Stakeholders, and Partners

Strategic Plan

ARS Outcomes, General Goals, Explanatory Statements, Specific Goals,

Program Activities, and Performance Measures

Outcome 1. An agricultural production system that is highly

competitive in the global economy

Outcome 2. A safe and secure food and fiber system

Outcome 3. A healthy and properly nourished population

Outcome 4. Greater harmony between agriculture and the

environment

Outcome 5. Enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for

farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and communities

Initiatives, Explanatory Statements, Specific Initiatives, Program

Activities, and Performance Measures

Initiative 1. Support Education

Initiative 2. National Agricultural Library

Initiative 3. Creative Leadership

ARS Resource Summary

ARS Customer Pledge

Background

Introduction

ARS Approach to GPRA

Since 1983, ARS has developed as series of multiyear strategic

plans to help guide development and management of the agency's work. In

1993, the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Public Law

103-62, was enacted. It seeks to make all Federal departments and

agencies more accountable to Congress and the U.S. taxpayers. The ARS

Strategic Plan, covering fiscal years 1998-2002, was developed in

accordance with the GPRA requirements.

In the spring of 1994, the agency established a work group to study

how best to implement GPRA within ARS. After completion of the work

group's report, ARS undertook an extensive outreach effort to gain

individual input from a broad cross section of the agency's customers,

stakeholders, and partners. This visioning process consisted of a pilot

conference in January 1995, followed by five regional conferences held

in June and July of 1995. The conferences brought together over 400

participants who worked in more than 30 breakout groups to provide

individual input regarding:

The key forces that will influence American agriculture

during the next 20 to 25 years.

How these changes will affect agricultural research.

More specifically how ARS should respond to these changes.

Using input and information gathered from this process ARS

identified 10 major issue areas that will affect agriculture and

agricultural research over the next 25 years:

International/Global Issues

Competition will increase for international markets and

resources.

International trade and treaties will influence the

profitability of U.S. agriculture.

The political climate in foreign nations will impact U.S.

agriculture.

Population/Demographics Issues

Growth in world population will increase demand for food,

fiber, energy, and land.

Environmental Issues

Resource competition among agricultural and industrial

users.

Need to address current and potential environmental

pollution.

Impact of pesticide and herbicide use.

Ecosystem management.

Maintaining biological and genetic diversity.

Sustainability of Production Systems Issues

Need to respond to changes in biological resistance

(resistance to pesticides).

Need to address environmental restrictions to expand the

range where plants can grow in response to changes in climate and other

circumstances.

Economic Issues

The profitability of U.S. agriculture is impacted by the

cost of labor, the transportation and distribution of foods, and the

quantity of food versus its price.

The concern over the federal deficit will continue to

impact agricultural subsidy programs.

The trend in U.S. agriculture is a shift from family farms

to agribusiness/corporate farms.

Government and Political Issues

Budget constraints are changing the relationship between

the federal, state, and private sectors.

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Changes in demographics are resulting in decreased

political influence for the agriculture community.

There is a declining knowledge of agriculture among

agricultural policy makers.

There is concern about the type of regulations, their

interpretation, and the resulting increase in litigation.

Maintaining a safe and secure food supply will continue to

be a critical element of national security.

Consumer/Societal Issues

Consumers changing preferences, their needs and

expectations for food security, and their demands for better quality of

life will impact U.S. agriculture.

U.S. agriculture needs to increase acceptance of new

technologies and new products among consumers and to allay their fears

of science and technology.

Consumer perceptions and concerns over bioethics and

animal welfare will impact U.S. agriculture.

Food and Health Issues

Issues concerning nutrition, disease prevention, and food

security will influence U.S. food production.

--Food security issues encompass food safety, quantity, and quality.

Changing dietary consumption patterns will impact U.S.

food production.

Technological Advancement Issues

Some of the key technological issues influencing U.S.

agriculture are:

--Information and communication technology

--New uses of food and fiber and non-food uses of agriculture products

--Development of new production and delivery systems

--Intellectual property rights

The concern over ethics of biotechnology and genetic

engineering will influence the development of new U.S. technology and

its implementation.

Education and Information Issues

Education programs need to be developed to address the

following issues that influence the American public.

--The environment

--The economy

--Technology

--Nutrition, food and health

--Science and agriculture

In analyzing the input and information gathered at the five

conferences, nine major roles were identified for ARS in meeting the

research needs of the next 25 years. The nine roles are as follows:

provide leadership in the agricultural research agenda; strengthen

relationships with ARS partners; educate and relate to consumers and

other constituents; develop and transfer information systems and

technology; carry out and support strong, relevant science; focus on

long-term, high-risk research; address environmental issues; promote

interdisciplinary team and systems approaches; and develop and

strengthen institutional and human resources.

The ARS guiding principles that appear on page 14 are based on the

input and information gathered at the visioning conferences. In

addition, the visioning process provides a broad thematic framework

that runs throughout the ARS strategic plan. Shortly after the

visioning process was completed, the agency established a strategic

planning team (SPT) charged with drafting a new ARS strategic plan that

meets the GPRA requirements.

GPRA Outcomes and General Goals

In GPRA, Congress intended for each agency to identify the societal

impact or outcome of its work. These outcomes are usually long-term and

reflect the agency's general direction and purpose.

ARS' research focuses on achieving five broad outcomes that

parallel almost verbatim the outcomes identified in the strategic plan

of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area. GPRA

calls on each agency to establish general goals that will contribute to

achieving the long-term outcomes and that shape and drive the work of

the agency during the 5 years covered by the plan. ARS derives its

general goals and some of its initiatives from statutory language,

specifically the ``Purposes of Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Education'' set forth in section 801 of the Federal Agriculture

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

The Agricultural Research Service

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house

research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Congress

first authorized federally supported agricultural research in the

Organic Act of 1862, which established what is now USDA. That statute

directed the Commissioner of Agriculture ``* * * To acquire and

preserve in his Department all information he can obtain by means of

books and correspondence, and by practical and scientific experiments,

* * *'' The scope of USDA's agricultural research programs has been

expanded and extended more than 60 times in the 134 years since the

Department was created.

Before the enactment of large scale crop support and nutrition

programs, agricultural research was a substantial part of the

Department's budget. Shortly before World War II, USDA received about

40 percent of all Federal funds appropriated for research. To better

support the war effort, the Department's various research components

were brought together into the Agricultural Research Administration

(ARA). In 1953 the ARA was reorganized into the Agricultural Research

Service. In FY 1996, ARS received an appropriation from Congress of

$710 million (less than 1 percent of the Federal research funds

appropriated for that year) which supported 1,200 research projects at

104 locations involving about 1,950 scientists.

ARS Research

ARS research has long been associated with higher yields and more

environmentally sensitive farming techniques. But the impact of ARS

research extends far beyond the farm gate and the dinner table.

Agricultural research is as much about human health as it is about

growing corn. For example, ARS recently developed a fat substitute

called Oatrim. Not only does this technology benefit farmers by

providing a new use for oats, it enables processors to produce tastier

low-fat foods. Consumers may reap the biggest benefits: Oatrim-rich

diets lower the bad (LDL) type of cholesterol without decreasing the

good (HDL) type, and it improves glucose tolerance. ARS research is

also as much about development of industrial products such as printing

ink from crops like soybeans as it is about development of high-

yielding wheat varieties. And as with Oatrim, printing inks made from

100-percent soybean oil instead of petroleum solve more than one

problem: Unlike petroleum, soybeans are a renewable resource, and this

technology diversifies markets for soybean farmers and choices for ink

manufacturers and printers.

ARS research provides solutions to a wide range of problems related

to agriculture--problems requiring long-term commitment of resources or

unlikely to have solutions with quick commercial payoff that would

tempt private industry to do the research. These problems range from

the ongoing battle to protect crops and livestock from costly pests and

diseases to improving quality and safety of agricultural commodities

and products determining the right mix of nutrients for humans from

infancy to old age,

[[Page 37982]]

making the best use of natural resources, and all the while ensuring

profitability for producers and processors while keeping costs down for

consumers.

To develop these solutions, ARS scientists carry out basic,

applied, and developmental research. These are inextricably linked.

Scientists cannot do applied and developmental research without the

foundation provided by basic research; and ARS basic research must

point toward specific uses for new knowledge resulting from the

research. Also, basic research is necessary in anticipation of new

problems and to provide information needed for rational nationwide

policies.

ARS scientists communicate research results and transfer new

technologies from ARS to other scientists, institutions of higher

education, products and process developers, and consumers, producers,

and other end users through:

Publications: ARS scientists write several thousand articles each

year for scientific journals and trade magazines. Such publications are

a primary means of sharing information with other scientists and are

the first step in transferring results from the laboratory to everyday

use. Equally important, peer review of articles published in scientific

journals helps ensure that ARS research is of the highest quality.

Conferences, Workshops, and Consultations: ARS scientists

participate in selected conferences and workshops each year to ensure

timely exchange of information with other scientists in the same and

related fields and to work with customers in identifying research needs

and opportunities. They also correspond extensively with other

scientists and customers via paper and electronic mail, serve as expert

consultants both locally and nationally, and otherwise stay connected

with their scientific and customer communities. An expanding ARS

involvement with electronic communications networks such as the

Internet ensures that agency scientists will be participants in this

relatively low-cost global information exchange.

Cooperative Agreements and Patent Licenses: ARS aggressively

pursues cooperative relationships with private industry, academia, and

other Government agencies for further development of new technology.

The agency also markets both patented and nonpatented technology for

immediate use or further refinement. ARS continues to be an

acknowledged leader among Federal agencies in technology transfer as

judged by the relative number of patents, partnerships, patent

licenses, and technology transfer awards.

International Collaboration

The combined government funding for agricultural research in

foreign countries far exceeds U.S. Federal funding for agricultural

research. Recognizing this resource, ARS has set up carefully selected

international collaborations, consistent with ARS program goals. This

has led to a cost-effective supplementation of ARS technology

development and germplasm. At present, the agency has 368 cooperative

linkages with 51 countries. Collaborations often result in co-

publication of research results. Where appropriate, intellectual

property is mutually protected with co-patents. Through its tactically

constructed network of international research interchanges. ARS in

cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, helps to advance techno-

scientific diplomacy for the U.S. Government.

National Agricultural Library

The National Agricultural Library (NAL) was established by Congress

in 1862. It is the largest agricultural library in the world and one of

only four national libraries in the United States. In 1994 it became

part of the Agricultural Research Service. The library's unique,

comprehensive collection of more than 2.2 million volumes forms the

fundamental base of knowledge on agriculture and related basic and

applied sciences and social sciences for the Nation. Traditional as

well as innovative and specialized information services and products

enable customers to identify, locate, and obtain needed information on

agriculture and related topics. Through preservation activities, NAL

ensures that the collection is available for current and future use.

NAL produces AGRICOLA (AGRICultural OnLine Access), a bibliographic

database of more than 3 million citations to agriculture literature,

and provides leadership in development and application of information

technologies that help ensure access to knowledge and information such

as gene maps.

Technology Transfer Activities

Products, techniques, and information generated from ARS research

must be transferred to customers, if the United States is to maintain

its global competitive edge in agriculture. The technology transfer

process ranges from the controlled release of information via oral,

written, or electronic form, to the establishment of research and

development partnerships with private industry, other Government

agencies, and universities. Intellectual property is guarded by patents

and plant variety protection, and commercialization is achieved by

patent licensing and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements

(CRADA'S).

Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles, and Values

Vision

Leading America toward a better future through agricultural

research and information.

Mission

Provide access to agricultural information and develop new

knowledge and technology needed to solve technical agricultural

problems of broad scope and high national priority to ensure adequate

availability of high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural

products to meet the nutritional needs of the American consumer, to

sustain a viable and competitive food and agricultural economy, to

enhance quality of life and economic opportunity for rural citizens and

society as a whole, and to maintain a quality environment and natural

resource base.

Guiding Principles

Provide leadership for the national agricultural research agenda.

Carry out and support excellent, relevant science.

Support long-term research to provide a foundation of problem

solving.

Apply the science base to address critical emerging problems.

Provide the science base for informed policymaking.

Strenghten relationships with ARS partners.

Educate and relate to consumers and other constituents.

Respond to societal, consumer, and environmental concerns.

Promote interdisciplinary team and systems approaches.

Develop and strengthen institutional and human resources.

Develop and transfer information systems and technology.

Values

Accountability: We are responsible to the public.

Appreciation: We respect one another and value everyone's

contribution.

Cooperation: We work with others to most effectively use available

knowledge, resources, and technologies.

Creativity: We nurture and reward creativity.

Global Perspective: We encourage and promote an international

perspective and global collaboration on agricultural issues.

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Integrity: We are committed to the highest standards of honesty and

ethical conduct.

Leadership: We promote leadership in information and agricultural

science.

Objectivity: We are proud of our scientific objectivity and will

continue to provide unbiased information.

Partnerships: We encourage partnerships with other organizations

and individuals.

Quality: We are dedicated to the highest standards of quality in

agricultural research and information dissemination.

Relevance: We respond to the needs of the agricultural community

and all of society.

Service: We listen to our customers, both internal and external,

and provide them quality scientific research, technologies, and

information.

Sharing: We are committed to share information broadly and in a

timely fashion.

Strategy: We shape the future by strategically positioning our

resources and capabilities.

Teamwork: We support teams that approach holistically by looking at

the total implications of their work.

Key External Factors

Consumer, Socio-Economic, and Policy Trends

The abundance and affordability of the American food supply is

chiefly due to U.S. agricultural research. The Nation's ability to

sustain this plentiful and inexpensive food supply continues to be

paramount. But in recent years, consumer and producer attention has

expanded somewhat to other areas of concern such as food safety and

quality, the relationship of agriculture and the environment, the

profitability of the agricultural enterprise, the impact of government

regulations, land use restrictions, and economic options that diminish

the supply of farmable, grazable land.

The long-term sustainability of the Nation's food and fiber

production systems will be determined not only by the continued

profitability of farming and ranching, but also by how these production

systems affect the environment. The capacity of U.S. agriculture to

adapt to environmental changes is also a concern as are the

availability and quality of natural resources. Another key

environmental issue is how human activities affect weather patterns,

atmospheric composition, and soil and water quality and productivity.

Global population increases, demographic changes, and economic

growth will substantially increase the demand for agricultural

products. These changes should promote development of new markets. At

the same time, increased agricultural efficiency in other countries

will require that U.S. agriculture be more competitive. Meanwhile,

budget deficits and external pressures on the domestic economy may

reduce funding for agricultural research in both the public and private

sectors.

Congressional Support

The ability of ARS to respond to the many and diverse needs of

producers and consumers is determined by congressional appropriations.

Adjusted for inflation, these appropriated funds are substantially

smaller now than they were two to three decades ago. As a consequence

of inflation and the higher operating costs associated with advances in

research equipment and techniques, the ARS scientific workforce, which

reached a maximum of about 3,400 scientists in 1970, decreased by

almost 40 percent during the following 25 years. In recent years,

Congressional appropriations, expressed in current dollars, have

remained static. Because of widespread concern about Federal budget

deficits, and the commitment by both the Administration and the

Congress to reduce Federal expenditures, future ARS budgets are

expected to remain at or near the current level of $710 million. Even

with the current low rate of inflation, this scenario is expected to

lead to further decreases in both the strength of the scientific

workforce and the scope of the research program.

Workforce Competition

The Department of Labor projects an increase of 19 percent in the

size of the general workforce in the next decade, which is slightly

lower than the rate of growth for the preceding decade. The labor

market during this period is also expected to be highly comptetive for

many occupations that require and advanced education, including

scientists, engineers, economists, and computer specialists. The high

earning potential of professions, such as law and medicine, will

continue to make a career in science less attractive to many young men

and women who have the creative intelligence needed for professional

success in agricultural research. Consequently, a major emphasis on

recruitment, student employment, upward mobility, and training programs

will be needed to attract and retain a quality workforce. The trend

toward increasing workforce diversity is also expected to continue, and

opportunities for encouraging women and minorities into careers in

science, engineering, and economics will need to be given a high

priority.

Key Internal Factors

Facilities

ARS owns and manages nearly 3,000 laboratory and office buildings

and about 400,00 acres of land in support of its research mission

carried out at 104 domestic and foreign locations. The quality of ARS

facilities' infrastructure directly affects the ability of ARS

scientists to accomplish their research mission objectives and

projects. ARS implemented a comprehensive facilities modernization

program through which it determines priorities for allocation of

resources for facilities modernization related to and consistent with

the research priorities of the agency.

In addition, ARS is currently participating in the Under

Secretary's Agriculture Research Facilities Study Commission. The

commission is charged with reviewing existing and proposed federally

funded facilities to determine which ones should be closed,

consolidated, or modernized.

Information Infrastructure

The confluence of computers, advanced communications, and space

technology has brought about an information systems revolution that is

resulting in change comparable to that which occurred during the

Industrial Revolution. The National Information Infrastructure (NII)

will have the capacity to transmit information anywhere in the world at

both high and low speeds, in a variety of data formats, including

image, voice, and video.

Scientists searching for research information will find it on the

Internet; companies searching for new research findings and technology

will find them on the Internet. Information is a key to opportunities

and an economic resource. Those who learn to exploit database

technology and electronic networks as a utility will be the ones to get

ahead.

As one example, the NII presents a unique opportunity to the

National Agricultural Library (NAL). NAL has traditionally collected,

managed, and housed food and agricultural research information to

respond to requests by scientists, educators, consumers, and other

constituents. But accumulation is no longer the answer: proper access

is. Strategic alliances and partnerships are required to capitalize on

the greater breadth of information available, while at the same time

targeting audiences and tailoring information and delivery

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formats to meet the needs of internal and external customers.

Human Resources

ARS will need to continue using innovative approaches to human

resources management to attract and retain critical core scientific,

technical, and support capability. To meet the agency's human resources

requirements and maintain the quality, relevance, and excellence of its

core research programs, ARS must ensure continued innovations in human

resources management such as the USDA' ARS and Forest Service

Demonstration Project and the ARS Research Peer Evaluation System as a

part of its overall strategic plan.

Core Capabilities

ARS' policy is to maintain the essential combination of scientific

expertise, fiscal and information resources, and facilities required to

meet the needs of the agency's national programs. These core

capabilities are a defining feature of the agency and can be mobilized

to address national crises and other emerging problems.

Customers, Beneficiaries, Stakeholders, and Partners

A listing of ARS' customers, beneficiaries, stakeholders, and

partners is shown below. Although the list is constantly changing, it

gives an indication of the breadth of ARS' customer base. Sometimes the

same organization can be a customer, beneficiary, stakeholder, and/or

partner.

Customers--Individuals or organizations that directly use ARS

services.

Producers and processors

National and international organizations

Advocacy groups

Commodity and futures markets

International trade organizations

International science and research organizations

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Secretary of Agriculture

Other mission areas

Action and regulatory agencies

Office of Budget and Program Analysis

Inspector General

Chief Financial Officer

Other Federal agencies

Scientific community

Medical community

Health and dietary community

State and local Governments

News media

Beneficiaries--Individuals whose well-being is enhanced by the

agency's activities.

Domestic consumers

Foreign consumers of U.S. agricultural exports and technologies.

Stakeholders--Orginzations or individuals that have an interest in

the work of ARS but do not directly use the agency's products.

Legislative branch

Executive branch

ARS employees

National and international organizations

Producer and processor organizations

Food and commodity organizations

Foreign countries/governments

Trade organizations

Environmental organizations

Retail organizations

Consumer organizations

Partners--Organizations that ARS works with collaboratively.

Institutions of higher education

Federal research agencies

Private industry

Strategic Plan

ARS Outcomes

ARS' general goals and specific goals are focused on achieving five

outcomes, which are expressions of long-term desirable societal results

toward which the work of ARS is ultimately directed. The five ARS

outcomes parallel, almost verbatim, the outcomes identified in the REE

mission area strategic plan. The ARS general goals directly support the

agency's ongoing efforts to achieve these five broad societal outcomes.

Under each outcome is a brief explanatory statement that describes how

ARS relates the outcome to the work of the agency. In addition, there

are performance measures that indicate progress towards achieving each

outcome.

General Goals and Explanatory Statements

Under each outcome is one or more general goals and a brief

explanatory statement that describes how ARS interprets the general

goal and relates it to the work of the agency. ARS derives its general

goals and some of its initiatives from statutory language, specifically

the ``Purposes of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education'' set

forth in section 801 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Return

Act of 1996. The general goals are broad enough to allow activities to

overlap. In those instances, explanatory statements cross-reference the

general goals where certain areas of related research would be covered.

Each general goal has been given a short title.

Specific Goals

Under each of the ARS general goals there are several subgoals.

These focus the general goal on the mission and work of ARS. Many

departments and agencies are using the term ``objective'' to identify

their subgoals. ARS has an existing classification system that uses the

term ``objective'' to describe areas of research. To avoid confusion,

the ARS strategic plan uses the designation ``specific goal.'' Each

specific goal has been given a short title.

Program Activities

GPRA requires agencies to describe how the goals are to be achieved

and how the performance measures relate to the general goals. The

program activities describe briefly and broadly what activities ARS

will undertake to accomplish the specific and general goals.

Performance Measures

The performance measures describe specific achievements that

indicate progress toward reaching the goals.

Agencywide Performance Measures

The following performance measures are across the agency (not

broken out by outcome or goal) over the 5 years covered by the plan.

--200 new patent applications*

--250 new CRADAs

--100 new Licenses

--650 new interagency agreements

--350 new plant germplasm releases to industry for further development

** 1,750 postdoctoral students will be involved in ARS research

activities; 10 percent will be hired as full-time employees of the

agency.

Conduct 2,250 reviews under the research position evaluation system

(RPES) to ensure the quality of the agency's scientists; 95 percent

will achieve fully successful to outstanding ratings and 40 percent

will be found qualified to work at a higher level of scientific

inquiry.

Conduct 1,250 peer reviews of research projects.

Conduct 100 location reviews at research laboratories.

Outcome 1. An agricultural production system that is highly

competitive in the global economy.

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conduct research designed to

generate new knowledge; improve production systems; enhance resource

efficiencies; improve processing quality, performance, and the value of

commodities; and develop technologies to reduce nontariff trade

barriers. The national needs for scientific agricultural

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information will be met in a timely manner. U.S. agricultural producers

and processors will have access to current knowledge and technologies.

Performance Goals: During the 5 years covered by this strategic plan,

ARS will report:

In basic research.

--1,300 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--1,100 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 basic research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In applied research.

--270 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--230 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 applied research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In development research and technology transfers.

--New patent applications*

--New CRADAs*

--New licenses*

--New interagency agreements*

--New plant germplasm releases to industry for further development*

In nonformal education.

--95 percent of customer requests received and handled within

established time frames

--12 presentations to lay and professional organizations

In higher education.

--Knowledge and technologies promptly communicated to institutions of

higher education within established time frames

--Graduate and postgraduate students involved in ARS research

activities**

General Goal 1.1 Strengthen Competitiveness

``Enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and

food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS will generate new knowledge and develop

new and improved production systems with greater resource efficiencies;

improve the processing quality, performance, and value of commodities

to meet domestic and global market needs; develop technologies to

eliminate trade barriers due to quarantine issues and other nontariff

trade constraints; and develop sustainable and cost-competitive food

and industrial commodity processing technologies and concepts.

Specific Goal 1.1.1 Cost-Effective Agricultural Program Systems

Develop new knowledge and integrated technologies for more

efficient and economically sustainable agricultural production systems.

Program Activity: Integrate the production, processing, and

marketing technologies and knowledge into systems that optimize

resource management, improve environmental quality, and facilitate

technology transfer.

Performance Measures: Demonstrate and transfer to users integrated

systems. Demonstrate and transfer to users computer-based simulation

models and decision-support systems.

Specific Goal 1.1.2 Postharvest Technologies

Develop technologies and processes to reduce or overcome nontariff

trade and quarantine barriers.

Program Activity: Develop and evaluate alternative means of

controlling or eliminating postharvest insects, diseases, and spoilage

organisms in agricultural commodities and products.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate techniques to control or eliminate

postharvest insects and diseases and increase market quality and

product longevity.

Program Activity: Develop technologies to replace methyl bromide to

meet phytosanitary requirements, and to improve export opportunities

for agricultural commodities.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate technologies to control quarantine

insects and diseases on fruit.

Program Activity: Develop diagnostic methods to identify weeds,

diseases, and pests that must be controlled to permit the international

movement of animals, plants, or animal and plant products.

Performance Measure: New and improved diagnostic tests are

developed and available.

Specific Goal 1.1.3 Product Quality and Marketability

Improve quality, uniformity, value, and marketability of

commodities and other agricultural products.

Program Activity: Support the mission of action/regulatory agencies

by defining and characterizing the desired physical, chemical, and

aesthetic properties of agricultural commodities.

Performance Measure: Provide knowledge and technology to expand and

improve the grading systems for agricultural commodities and products.

Program Activity: Advance the technology for measuring important

nutrients and other quality components.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate methods to measure the critical

processing and end-use properties of agricultural commodities important

to the agricultural marketing system and to the processing industry.

Specific Goal 1.1.4 International Technology Interchange

Develop a strategy for selective international research interchange

to supplement ARS technology developments and strengthen

competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

Program Activity: Gain access to foreign technology developments

through tactical selection of opportunities for international research

cooperation coherent with ARS domestic programs.

Performance Measure: Strategic alliances formed with specific

foreign institutions, leading to the joint development of germplasm and

value-added technologies, mutually protected through intellectual

property agreements.

General Goal 1.2 Develop New Uses and Products

``Develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities,

such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops'' Explanatory

Statement: ARS will contribute to development of new and alternative

crops, new food and nonfood uses and products from plants and animals,

alternative fuels, and new processes and other technologies using these

commodities.

Specific Goal 1.2.1 New and Alternative Crops

Develop new and alternative crops with economic and social value.

Program Activity: Introduce and genetically improve new and

alternative crops to increase diversity of agricultural commodities and

satisfy societal needs.

Performance Measure: Experimentally demonstrate genetically

improved crops with potential for successful introduction.

Program Activity: Develop management practices for production,

harvesting, and postharvest handling of new alternative crops.

Performance Measure: Experimentally demonstrate new and improved

production, harvest and postharvest handling procedures of these crops.

Specific Goal 1.2.2 New Uses and Products

Develop new food and nonfood uses and products from plants and

animals,

[[Page 37986]]

and new processes and other technologies that add value.

Program Activity: Improve process technologies and develop new

bioproducts and uses that will increase the demand for agricultural

commodities.

Performance Measure: Experimentally demonstrate improvements in

processing technologies and develop new bioproducts and uses that have

potential to increase demand for agricultural commodities.

Outcome 2. A Safe and Secure Food and Fiber System

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conduct research designed to

generate knowledge regarding new and improved management practices,

pest management strategies, sustainable production systems, and the

control of potential contaminants. Food safety research seeks ways to

assess and control potentially harmful food contaminants. These

activities will ensure a safe, plentiful, diverse, and affordable

supply of food, fiber and other agricultural products.

Performance Goals: During the 5 years covered by this strategic

plan, ARS will report:

In basic research.

--2,470 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--2,090 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 basic research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In applied research.

--435 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--365 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 applied research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In developmental research and technology transfers.

--New patent applications*

--New CRADAs*

--New licenses*

--New interagency agreements*

--New plant germplasm release to industry for further development*

In nonformal education.

--95 percent of customer requests received and handled within

established time frames

--12 presentations to lay and professional organizations

In higher education.

--knowledge and technologies promptly communicated to institutions of

higher education within established time frames

--graduate and postgraduate students involved in ARS research

activities**

General Goal 2.1 Secure Food and Fiber System

Maintain a safe and secure food and fiber system that meets the

Nation's needs now and in the future.

Explantory Statement: ARS' research program will conserve and

enhance genetic resources and improve the efficiency of agricultural

production and processing systems to provide America with a safe,

adequate, secure, affordable and nutritious supply of food and fiber.

Specific Goal 2.1.1 Plant and Animal Production Systems

Improve efficiency of agricultural production and protection

systems to ensure the security of the Nation's food, fiber, and energy

supply.

Program Activity: Enhance output of agricultural products through

development of new production methods that maximize net economic

returns and minimize input costs while using environmentally

sustainable technologies.

Performance Measures: Demonstrate increases in productivity above

current levels, using sustainable technologies.

Demonstrate a more efficient and cost-effective use of resource

inputs while increasing productivity above current levels.

Develop and demonstrate new integrated technologies for improved

protection of plants and animals.

Specific Goal 2.1.2 Plant and Animal Germplasm Resources

Acquire, preserve, evaluate, and enhance genetic resources and

develop new knowledge and technologies to increase the productive

capacity of plants and animals.

Program Activity: Develop improved genetic engineering and

conventional methods and use them to produce new germplasm with

increased production potential, improved resistance to pests and

diseases, and enhanced productive capacity.

Performance Measures: Release of improved germplasm, varieties, and

breeds based on effective use of genetic resources.

Improved methods for identifying useful properties of plants and

animals and for manipulating the genes associated with these

properties.

Program Activity: Collect, preserve, evaluate, and make available a

diverse range of germplasm that increases genetic variability and

enhances productive capacity and food and fiber security.

Performance Measures: Maintenance of collections of well-documented

plant and animal germplasm of importance to U.S. agricultural security.

Specific Goal 2.1.3 Plant and Animal Biological Processes

Develop biologically based technologies to improve productivity,

safety, nutrient content, and quality of plants and animals and their

products.

Program Activity: Conduct fundamental and applied investigations of

plant and animal biological processes that influence productivity,

safety, nutrient content, and quality.

Performance Measure: Make technologies available for improving

productivity, safety, and quality.

General Goal 2.2 Safe Food

``Maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet

human nutritional needs and requirements.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS' food safety research program will

assess the safety of animal and plant products and develop methods to

control potential food contaminants. The human nutrition research

activities covered in this general goal are addressed in outcome 3,

general goal 3.

Specific Goal 2.2.1 Plant and Animal Product Safety

Provide knowledge and means for production of safe plant and animal

products.

Program Activity: Develop methods to reduce toxin-producing and/or

pathogenic bacteria and fungi, parasites, mycotoxins, chemical

residues, and plant toxins.

Performance Measure: Transfer knowledge developed by ARS to

industry and regulatory agencies.

Outcome 3. A healthy and properly nourished population.

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conduct research to generate new

knowledge in human nutrition that will establish the relationship

between diet and health, measure food consumption patterns, and develop

new methods to measure the nutrient composition of food. The outcomes

of these efforts will be a safe, and nutritious food supply and a

knowledge base that enables people to make healthful food choices.

Performance Goals: During the 5 years covered by this strategic plan,

ARS will report:

In basic research.

--325 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--275 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 basic research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term

[[Page 37987]]

benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In applied research.

--25 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--22 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 applied research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In developmental research and technology transfers.

--New patent applications*

--New CRADAs*

--New licenses*

--New interagency agreements*

--New plant germplasm releases to industry for further development*

In nonformal education.

--95 percent of customer requests received and handled within

established time frames

--12 presentations to lay and professional organizations

In higher education.

--Knowledge and technologies promptly communicated to institutions of

higher education within established time frames

--Graduate and postgraduate students involved in ARS research

activities**

General Goal 3.1 Nutritious Food

``Maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet

human nutritional needs and requirements.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS' human nutrition research program will

establish the relationship between diet, nutritional status, and health

throughout life and the contribution of diet to disease resistance and

the reduction of disorders related to nutrition. The program will

develop methods for determining food components and maintain national

food composition databases. ARS will monitor food consumption,

knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the U.S. population and design

and test techniques that enable people to improve their nutritional

status. The food safety activities covered in this general goal are

addressed in outcome 2.

Specific Goal 3.1.1 Human Nutrition Requirements

Determine requirements for nutrients and other food components of

children, pregnant and lactating women, adults, and elderly of diverse

racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Program Activity: Using population and survey data, human feeding

studies, genetic models of metabolism, animal studies, and other

methods, establish indicators of nutrient functions that show

requirements and bioavailability of food components and their effects

on health.

Performance Measure: Indicators of function determined and related

to diet and health.

Specific Goal 3.1.2 Food Composition and Consumption

Develop techniques for determining food composition, maintain

national food composition databases, monitor the food and nutrient

consumption of the U.S. population, and develop and transfer effective

nutrition intervention strategies.

Program Activity: Develop new methods for measuring selected

nutrients and food components, conduct surveys of food consumption,

analyze survey results to determine consumption of nutrients, and

design strategies for improvement.

Performance Measure: Transfer new measurement techniques and data

to users, release results of surveys, transfer effective nutrition

intervention strategies.

Specific Goal 3.1.3 Nutritious Plant and Animal Products

Develop more nutritious plant and animal products for human

consumption.

Program Activity: Improve the nutritional value of animal and plant

products.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate improved nutritional quality.

Outcome 4. Greater harmony between agriculture and the environment.

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conduct multidisciplinary research

to solve problems arising from the interaction between agriculture and

the environment. New practices and technologies will be developed to

conserve the Nation's natural resource base and balance production

efficiency and environmental quality. Since environmental quality is a

global problem, ARS will expand collaboration with foreign research

institutions. The outcome will be technology and practices that will

mitigate the adverse impact of agriculture on the environment.

Performance Goals: During the 5 years covered by this strategic

plan, ARS will report:

In basic research.

--1,070 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--900 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 basic research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In applied research.

--215 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--180 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 applied research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In developmental research and technology transfers.

--New patent applications *

--New CRADAs *

--New licenses *

--New interagency agreements *

--New plant germplasm releases to industry for further development *

In nonformal education.

--95 percent of customer requests received and handled within

established time frames

--12 presentations to lay and professional organizations

In higher education.

--Knowledge and technologies promptly communicated to institutions of

higher education within established time frames

--Graduate and postgraduate students will be involved in ARS research

activities **

General Goal 4.1 Balance Agriculture and the Environment

``Increase the long-term productivity of the United States

agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the

natural resource base on which rural America and the United States

agricultural economy depend.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conserve and enhance genetic

resources, improve the efficiency of agricultural production systems,

and develop new and improved high-quality food and nonfood agricultural

and industrial products with improved pest and disease resistance and

better adaptability to a wider range of climatic conditions. ARS will

develop new and improved management practices, elucidate the potential

effects of global climate change, and develop new ways to manage crop

and animal production systems in the changing global climate, develop

integrated pest management strategies, and integrated sustainable

agricultural production systems to enhance the quality and productivity

of the Nation's soil, water, and air, ensuring conservation of the

natural resource bases essential to meet future needs.

[[Page 37988]]

Specific Goal 4.1.1 Natural Resource Quality and Quantity

Develop new and improved management practices that will enhance the

quality and productivity of the Nation's soil, water, and air

resources.

Program Activity: Develop on-farm agricultural practices and

technologies to assess, predict, and improve soil, water, and air

quality.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate agricultural management practices

and technologies that protect and enhance the environment and natural

resource base.

Program Activity: Develop agricultural practices and technologies

at the watershed scale that conserve and maintain the quality of

natural resources.

Performance Measure: Experimentally demonstrate the appropriateness

of watershed-scale practices and technologies that protect the

environment and natural resources.

Specific Goal 4.1.2 Global Climate Change

Increase understanding of the responses of terrestrial ecosystems

to manmade and natural changes in the global environment.

Program Activity: Quantify the positive and negative aspects of

agriculture's role in global change.

Performance Measure: Documentation of agriculture's effects on the

global environment.

Program Activity: Assess and predict how changes in the global

environment will affect agriculture.

Performance Measure: Documentation of how changes in the global

environment affect agriculture.

Program Activity: Develop technologies that promote operational

efficiency for agriculture in a changing global climate.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate techniques that can improve

efficiency.

Specific Goal 4.1.3 Cropland and Rangeland Management Strategies

Develop cropland and rangeland management strategies that will

improve quality and quantity of food and fiber products needed for U.S.

competitiveness.

Program Activity: Develop concepts and practices for managing

croplands and rangelands that will accommodate major increases in the

quantity and quality of food and fiber products.

Performance Measures: Demonstrate cropland and rangeland management

strategies that improve productivity and efficiency of croplands and

rangelands.

Provide information directly to farmers and through public agencies

and private organizations that will lead to adoption of improved

cropland and rangeland management strategies.

General Goal 4.2 Risk Management

``Improve risk management in the United States agriculture

industry.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS will address the multifaceted risks that

are inherent in the U.S. food and fiber production and processing

systems. They can have economic, environmental, and human health

components. The risks associated with weather extremes, such as

droughts and floods, often result in serious economic losses and major

environmental damage. Serious crop and animal losses can also result

from temperature extremes, hail, and other weather conditions. Crop and

animal producers frequently suffer severe economic losses from

diseases, insects, and other pests. This general goal is targeted

toward minimizing and, where feasible, eliminating the impact of these

risks through development of better animals and plants and improved

production and processing systems. The presence of toxic elements and

bacterial contaminants in the food supply is addressed under general

goal 8.

Specific Goal 4.2.1 Economic and Environmental Risks

Reduce economic and environmental risks through improved management

of agricultural production systems.

Program Activity: Develop strategies and methods for conserving

soil, water, and energy; managing pests and diseases; and reducing

plant and animal stresses to minimize economic and environmental risks

in agricultural production systems.

Performance Measure: Risk-reduction strategies and methods

transferred to the Nation's agricultural industry.

Specific Goal 4.2.2 Weather and Environmental Risks

Develop technologies for predicting and reducing the socio-economic

costs and resource damages associated with extreme weather variability.

Program Activity: Develop improved strategies and technologies

including crop residue management, irrigation systems, crop pest and

disease forecast systems, and plant and animal genetic improvements

that reduce the effects of extreme weather variability on food and

fiber production.

Performance Measure: Improve strategies and technologies that

reduce the effects of extreme weather variability.

General Goal 4.3 Safe Production and Processing

``Improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of

value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that

maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS will develop new and improved management

practices, integrated pest management strategies and integrated

sustainable agricultural production systems to enhance the safety,

quality, and productivity of the U.S. agricultural production and

processing systems while protecting the National environment.

Specific Goal 4.3.1 Pest and Disease Management Strategies

Develop environmentally safe methods to prevent or control pests

and diseases in plants and animals.

Program Activity: Develop knowledge and strategies for

environmentally safe pest and disease management.

Performance Measure: Deliver integrated pest and disease management

strategies that are cost effective and protect natural resources, human

health, and the environment.

Specific Goal 4.3.2 Integrated Agricultural Production Systems

Deveop knowledge and integrated technologies for promoting the use

of environmentally sustainable agricultural production systems.

Program Activity: Develop integrated agricultural production

systems that sustain soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources and

recognize the importance of social and economic considerations.

Performance Measures: Demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated

agricultural production systems in the improvement of natural resources

and protection of the environment.

Provide computer-based models and decision-support systems to

farmers, public agencies, and private organizations.

Specific Goal 4.3.3 Waste Management and Utilization

Develop and transfer cost-effective technologies and systems to use

agricultural, urban, and industrial wastes for production of food,

fiber, and other products.

Program Activity: Improve waste-management practices and systems to

recycle agricultural, municipal, and industrial wastes on agricultural

lands in more profitable and environmentally beneficial ways.

[[Page 37989]]

Performance Measure: Demonstrate technologies to store, mix,

compost, inoculate, incubate, and apply wastes to obtain consistent

economic benefits while at the same time minimizing environmental

degradation, nutrient loss, and noxious odors.

Program Activity: Devise technologies and processes that are cost

effective on a small scale for converting agricultural residues and

wastes into renewable energy and industrial feedstocks.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate the conversion of agricultural

waste into liquid fuels and industrial feedstocks.

Outcome 5. Enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for

farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and communities.

Explanatory Statement: ARS will conduct research to identify new

crops, products, technologies, and practices to increase profitability,

expand markets, add value, and make small-scale processing capabilities

available in rural communities. Access to technologies and information

will be expanded and simplified so that farmers, ranchers, and rural

residents can obtain information in a timely manner. Progress towards

this outcome will be seen in the gradual strengthening of rural

economic growth and improvements in the quality and stability of rural

life.

Performance Goals: During the 5 years covered by this strategic

plan, ARS will report:

In basic research.

--1,285 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--1,080 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 basic research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In applied research.

--150 scientific papers published in refereed journals

--125 presentations to scientific organizations

--50 applied research accomplishments with significant potential long-

term benefits to U.S. agricultural industry and American society

In development research and technology transfers.

--New patient applications*

--New CRADAs*

--New licenses*

--New interagency agreements*

--New plant germplasm releases to industry for further development*

In nonformal education.

--95 percent of customer requests and received and handled within

established time frames

--12 presentations to lay and professional organizations

In higher education.

--knowledge and technologies promptly communicated to institutions of

higher education within established time frames

--graduate and postgraduate students involved in ARS research

activities**

General Goal 5.1 Economic Opportunity and Technology Transfer

Conduct'' agricultural research * * * to promote economic

opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for

information and technology transfer throughout the United States

agriculture industry.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS will integrate basic long-term research

and targeted short-term research to develop new technologies,

practices, and production enterprises that increase profits, enhance

the farm ecosystem, and develop small-scale processing technologies to

create value-added products from agricultural commodities. In addition,

ARS will improve access to research information, target information

dissemination, transfer technology more effectively, and enhance

exchange of problem-solving information with domestic and international

research organizations. While the introductory focus of this goal is

expanding economic opportunities, ARS interprets the information and

technology transfer provisions to apply across the board to all areas

of agricultural research. Activities specifically related to the work

of the National Agricultural Library are addressed in initiative 2.

Specific Goal 5.1.1 Rural Development Opportunities

Develop farming systems tailored to diverse agricultural production

enterprises to enhance profits, sustainability, and environmental

quality.

Program Activity: Devise new technologies and practices and adapt

existing ones to create new and diverse farming enterprises, products,

and markets.

Performance Measure: Experimentally demonstrate the successful

operation of aquaculture systems, evaluate small-scale animal

production systems, and enhance high-value horticultural products.

Specific Goal 5.1.2 Information Access and Delivery

Provide improved access to and dissemination of information to

increase public knowledge and awareness of agricultural research to aid

technology transfer, and to speed up sharing of new knowledge.

Program Activity: Expand the use of electronic means for

information delivery.

Performance Measure: Make information on ARS research results and

inventions available electronically via the Internet and similar

resources.

Program Activity: Increase use of marketing techniques in targeting

of public information and technology transfer products and activities.

Performance Measure: Provide more cost-effective and efficient

public information and technology transfer.

Program Activity: Develop mechanisms to ensure proper consideration

is given to public information and technology transfer needs during the

planning and execution of research programs.

Performance Measure: Research programs include information and

technology transfer considerations.

Specific Goal 5.1.3 Commercialize Research Results

Develop technology transfer systems that lead to commercialization

of research results by industry.

Program Activity: Enhance the probability of success in

commercializing ARS technology by ensuring that potential cooperators

and businesses have access to non-ARS information on financing and

business and product development.

Performance Measure: Provide small businesses with contacts and

information on the programs available from public and private sources.

Program Activity: Increase the flexibility and decrease development

time for technology transfer agreements.

Performance Measure: Expand the types of agreements used by ARS and

delegate signatory authority to the lowest feasible level.

ARS Administrative, Programmatic and Management Initiatives

ARS' general goals and specific goals focus primarily on the

Agency's research activities. The three ARS initiatives represent major

activities that are of overaching important to the agency because they

relate to and support all of the critical work of the agency. Each

initiative has been given a short title.

Explanatory Statements

Under each initiative is a brief explanatory statement that

describes how ARS interprets the initiative and relates it to the work

of the agency.

Specific Initiatives

Under each of the initiatives are several subinitiatives that focus

the

[[Page 37990]]

initiative on the mission and work of ARS. Each specific initiative has

been given a short title.

Program Activities

The program activities describe briefly and broadly what activities

ARS will undertake to accomplish each initiative.

Performance Measures

The performance measures describe specific achievements that

indicate progress toward reaching the objectives of each initiative.

Administrative, Programmatic, and Management Initiatives

Initiative 1 Support Education

``Support higher education in agriculture to give the next

generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications

necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States

agriculture.''

Explanatory Statement: ARS has a very limited role to play in

directly supporting higher education. The agency provides training

opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral students to enable them to

gain valuable knowledge and experience. Some of these scientists are

eventually hired as full-time employees where they serve to maintain

and enhance the agency's core scientific capabilities. Most go on to

serve U.S. agriculture in other Federal, State, and local agencies,

private industry, or academia. See initiative 3, specific initiative

3.4 ARS, through the programs and services of the National Agricultural

Library, provides access to information for institutions of higher

education, their faculties, researchers, and students. See initiative

2. In addition, ARS supports public information, outreach, and

educational activities. See general goal 5.1, specific goal 5.1.2, and

initiative 2, specific initiative 2.1.

Initiative 2 National Agricultural Library

``Ensure and enhance worldwide access to agricultural information

through the programs of the National Agricultural Library (NAL).''

Explanatory Statement: ARS, through the programs and services of

the National Agricultural Library, will ensure that agricultural

information essential to the Nation is acquired, organized,

disseminated, and preserved for current and future use, and that

appropriate advances are made to improve access to such information.

Specific Initiative 2.1 Access to Information

Collect, organize, and provide access to information that supports

agricultural programs and responds to information needs.

Program Activity: Ensure that the NAL collection supports the

information needs of current and future customers.

Performance Measures: Implemented selection guidelines for the

electronic resources to be acquired and use by NAL.

Expanded representation of electronic formats such as Internet

resources, online databases, and digital documents in AGRICOLA (NAL's

bibliographic database of references to the literature of agriculture),

and NAL's online catalog.

Program Activity: Provide access to agriculture-related information

and resources over a network where connections are transparent to the

customer.

Performance Measure: A gateway is provided to a large body of

electronic information on agriculture over a network such as the

Internet.

Program Activity: Collaborate with land-grant universities and

other institutions of higher education to improve access to information

for faculty and students.

Performance Measure: Demonstrate increased use of agricultural

information by institutions of higher education.

Specific Initiative 2.2 Meet Customer Needs for Information

Anticipate and provide information products and services, including

educational programs, that enable NAL's diverse customers to identify,

locate, and obtain desired information on agricultural topics.

Program Activity: Use new technologies and methods to promote

faster delivery of information services.

Performance Measure: The time for processing requests for services

and delivering the information requested is further reduced.

Program Activity: Enhance the coverage, currency, and accessibility

of NAL-produced databases.

Performance Measure: The gap between the time that information is

published and made available in NAL-produced databases is further

reduced.

Program Activity: Develop and implement a multifaceted, integrated

training program that enables customers to take full advantage of

current and emerging technologies and information systems.

Performance Measure: Expanded provision of Internet and other

technology-related training programs for NAL customers.

Specific Initiative 2.3 Preservation of Significant Materials

Preserve significant and important works in agriculture and the

fields related to agriculture to ensure availability of NAL's

collections to current and future generations.

Program Activity: Work with the land-grant universities and other

national and international organizations to coordinate preservation of

USDA documents, agriculture-related publications of other Federal and

State agencies, and other materials important to agriculture.

Performance Measure: Establishment of a national archive for

agricultural literature that serves as a centralized storage facility

for archival copies prepared by cooperators in the program.

Program Activity: Coordinate evaluation of digital preservation

technologies and recommend policies and procedures for cooperators in

the national preservation program for agricultural materials.

Performance Measure: Development of a program for monitoring

quality of electronically archived materials to ensure that the data

remain accessible.

Initiative 3 Creative Leadership

Promote excellence, relevance, and recognition of agricultural

research through creative leadership in management and development of

resources, communications systems, and partnerships with our customers

and stakeholders.

Explanatory Statement: ARS research administrators, research

leaders, and scientific staffs are responsible for promoting the

excellence, relevance, and recognition of ARS research programs as part

of the U.S. agricultural research community. This includes exercising

leadership in developing a national research agenda, strengthening

relationships with States and private partners, and effectively

managing the agency's research infrastructure to preserve its core

capacity for agricultural research.

Specific Initiative 3.1 Develop Research Agenda

Identify ARS program priorities and core research capabilities and

use them to provide leadership in development of the coordinated REE

and national research agendas.

Program Activity: Develop the annual performance plan as required

by GPRA.

Performance Measure: The annual performance plan is delivered on

time.

[[Page 37991]]

Program Activity: Recommend priorities for inclusion in the REE

Coordinated Research Agenda.

Performance Measure: Meet REE deadlines for submission of material

for inclusion in the Coordinated Research Agenda.

Program Activity: Articulate approaches to addressing the Nation's

most critical agricultural research needs.

Performance Measure: Annual conferences of public and private

individuals are convened to discuss major researchable issues in

agriculture and to articulate approaches to addressing these problems.

Program Activity: Respond to urgent national problems that require

reallocation of resources.

Performance Measure: Rapid responses to crises.

Specific Initiative 3.2 Customer Service

Improve customer service.

Program Activity: Develop and implement customer service plans, and

evaluate their effectiveness.

Performance Measure: Improved customer satisfaction.

Program Activity: Solicit customer input in improving ARS programs,

products, and services.

Performance Measure: Customer needs are identified.

Specific Initiative 3.3 Management of Facilities

Provide appropriately equipped Federal facilities required to

support the research and information activities of ARS into the next

century.

Program Activity: Develop criteria and priorities for the

construction, consolidation, modernization, and closure of facilities.

Performance Measure: Criteria and priorities identified.

Specific Initiative 3.4 Maintenance of Core Research Capabilities

Develop and implement comprehensive human resource systems and

policies to support and enhance ARS' core research capabilities while

maintaining the flexibility to shift research and form

interdisciplinary teams to address emerging problems.

Program Activity: Develop a comprehensive plan to assemble a core

capability of scientific expertise to meet the needs of long-term

research objectives and goals with the ability to respond quickly to

emerging needs.

Provide training opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral

students.

Performance Measures: Identify core capability requirements and

develop a scientific staff to meet long-term research needs.

Establish a database of ARS experts by discipline and research

areas of expertise.

Train 1,750 postdoctoral students, select 10 percent to fill

fulltime positions.

Specific Initiative 3.5 Provide Administrative Support to REE

Serve as the lead agency in providing administrative and financial

management services for Research, Education, and Economics.

Program Activity: Solicit customer input and develop strategic plan

for administrative and financial management services.

Performance Measures: Customer participation in planning processes.

Strategic plan is developed and communicated to REE customers.

Specific Initiative 3.6 Program Excellence and Relevance

Ensure excellence and relevance of ARS programs through a variety

of comprehensive reviews.

Program Activity: Obtain broad-based peer review of all ARS

research projects.

Performance Measure: Internal and external peer reviews are

conducted on all research projects before implementation.

Program Activity: Periodically review the quality, quantity, and

impact of the work of ARS scientists.

Performance Measure: Review of the productivity, quality, and

impact of individual scientists is conducted as scheduled in the

Research Position Evaluation System (RPES).

Program Activity: Continuous input on the relevance and quality of

ARS research programs is solicited from peer scientists and users,

evaluated, and implemented where appropriate to the ARS mission.

Performance Measure: Program reviews are conducted periodically,

and programs are sustained or redirected as appropriate.

ARS Resource Summary

[Million dollars per year]

[The values in this table are approximate and not final]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extension,

Developmental outreach, and

ARS outcomes Basic Applied research and public Higher ARS total by

research research technology information education outcome

transfer and education

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Competitive agricultural system in the global economy.............. 61.6 13.68 53.5 19.5 ......... 148.28

(20.9%)

Safe and secure food and fiber system.............................. 128.8 21.72 95.14 .............. ......... 245.66

(34.7%)

Healthy, well-nourished............................................ 48.6 1.76 15.3 .............. ......... 65.66

(9.2%)

Agriculture's interface with the environment....................... 53.3 11.06 54.22 .............. ......... 118.58

16.7%)

Economic enhancement and quality of life........................... 69.95 8.22 53.66 .............. ......... 131.28

(18.5%)

Total by function............................................ 362.25 56.44 271.82 \3\19.5 \4\0 710.0

(51%) (7.9%) (38.3%) (2.8%) ......... (100%)

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Footnotes:

\1\ All of the above budget values are based on FY 1996 appropriated dollars.

\2\ Allocation of budget across functions and program outcomes is based on scientists' division of funds.

\3\ $19.5 million constitutes the budget for the National Agricultural Library which supports work in all 5 outcomes.

\4\ The financial and human resources needed to support the non-NAL public information activities are included in the basic, applied and developmental/

technology transfer activities.

[[Page 37992]]

The following will appear on the inside back cover of the published

plan.

The ARS Pledge to Customer Service

In addition to the customer focus in GPRA, the President's

Executive Order 12862 Customer Service Standards mandated each agency

to, among other things, ``identify the customers who are served by the

agency'' and establish and ``post service standards and measure results

against them.'' A work group developed the following customer service

pledge, which applies to all ARS employees:

Our vision of customer service:

To practice the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

To dedicate ourselves to quality and excellence.

To provide objective and factual information to our customers.

To value and treat each customer courteously.

To listen to our customers and strive to understand their needs.

To appreciate the diversity of our customers and respect their

contributions.

To provide timely, complete, and understandable responses to

customer requests.

To treat our coworkers as customers.

[FR Doc. 96-18462 Filed 7-17-96; 1:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-03-M