Agricultural Research Service's Agricultural Coexistence Efforts

Coexistence is critical to U.S. agriculture-biotech, organic and non-GE farmers are all vitally important to U.S. agriculture—they all have to thrive. We see a key role for each of these sectors in meeting our global and domestic food needs, increasing sustainability, and enhancing farm profitability and economic development. All three segments are vital, important, and a part of rural America's success. All three sectors should be able to thrive together.

As the chief intramural research agency of USDA, the Agricultural Research Service plays a foundational role in supporting American agriculture. ARS works cooperatively with farmers, producers, industry, universities, and other Federal partners both nationally and internationally to identify major agricultural issues and challenges to producing and sustaining a high-quality robust food, fiber, feed, and fuel production system. ARS research supports agricultural co-existence and takes an integrated approach of developing and identifying production practices that are productive, efficient, sustainable, and economically viable for a variety of farming systems—from conventional to organic farming practices and techniques to non-traditional approaches.

Scientists represent a diverse body of scientific disciplines. Some projects focus on developing and evaluating non-traditional approaches that include biotechnology techniques, genomics, genetics, and other cutting-edge approaches needed to respond and adapt quickly and efficiently to unique, new and emerging problems that face our food production system. Research efforts are supported by many unique and innovative partnering tools to ensure that our research moves from lab to market to the American consumer. ARS Investment in long-term and short-term research has helped strengthen and ensure we maintain a safe, secure, and affordable food system, and that American farmers remain competitive in a global farming economy.