About ARS : USDA ARS

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href="/contact-us/?modeCode=00-00-00-00"><b>Contact Us</b></a></li> </ul> </div>  </nav> </div> </header> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <main class="usa-grid usa-section usa-content usa-layout-docs" id="main-content"> <div> <a href="/">ARS Home</a> » About ARS  <div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style" id="Social-Share-Icons"> <a class="addthis_button_twitter"></a> <a class="addthis_button_linkedin"></a> <a class="addthis_button_facebook"></a> <a class="addthis_button_email"></a> <a class="addthis_button_print"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact"></a> </div>  </div> <div style="clear:both;"> <hr /> </div> <aside class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-layout-docs-sidenav"> <ul class="usa-sidenav-list"> <h4>What we do</h4> <li><a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/scienceinyourshoppingcart/shopcartintro/" >Science in Your Shopping Cart</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/ott/metrics-materials-success-stories/" >Technology Successes </a></li> <li><a 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<table border="0" width="656"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>The <strong>Agricultural Research Service (ARS)</strong> is the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/">U.S. Department of Agriculture's</a> chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. Here are a few numbers to illustrate the scope of our organization:</p> <ul> <li>600 research projects within 15 National Programs </li> <li>2,000 scientists and post docs </li> <li>5,000 other employees </li> <li>95 research locations</li> <li><span>$1.7 billion fiscal year budget</span></li> </ul> <p><span><a href="/ARSUserFiles/oc/br/arsfactsheet/arsfactsheet.pdf">Overview of the USDA Agricultural Research Service</a> [factsheet]</span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" width="673"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="HdrBlackBold"> <h2>Mission</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>ARS delivers scientific solutions to national and global agricultural challenges.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="675"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Vision</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="675"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Core Values</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Scientific excellence, creativity, innovation, integrity, leadership, collaboration, accountability, transparency, respect, and public service. These values underpin ARS’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nation's nourishment and well-being; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="675"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Administrators</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>The ARS Administrator is Dr. Simon Liu, Dr. Jeff Silverstein is the Associate Administrator for National Programs and Mr. Joon Park is the Associate Administrator for Research Operations and Management. For more information see <a data-id="249073" href="/about-ars/biographical-sketches-of-our-administrators/" title="Biographical Sketches of our Administrators">Biographical Sketches of our Administrators</a> and the <a href="/ARSUserfiles/oc/agency/ac/admincouncil.pdf">Administrator's Council</a>.</p> <p>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 <a data-id="249072" href="/about-ars/the-research-enterprise/" title="The Research Enterprise">The Research Enterprise</a>.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="674"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Research</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="674"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Plans and Reports</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>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 of our <a data-id="249071" href="/about-ars/plans-and-reports/" title="Plans and Reports">Plans and Reports<br /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="672"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Research, Education and Economics</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's <a href="http://www.ree.usda.gov/">Research, Education and Economics (REE)</a> mission area. The others agencies include <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov/">National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)</a>, <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/">Economic Research Service (ERS)</a>, and <a href="http://www.nass.usda.gov/">National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="673"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Budget</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>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 fiscal year budget is about $1.7 billion.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" width="675"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h2>Partnering</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Our scientists frequently collaborate with research partners from universities, companies, other organizations, and other countries. 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About ARS : USDA ARS