Objective:
The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, hereinafter referred to as ARS, and the American Farm School, hereinafter referred to as AFS, and the hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Participants,” hereby affirm their mutual interest in, and desire to broaden, cooperative research programs and exchanges. The Participants recognize that cooperation is a matter of working together toward common goals of mutual interest, mutual understanding and efficient administration of cooperative programs. Nothing in this broad understanding is to be construed as interfering in any way with the basic responsibilities and authority of either Participant for independent action. The purpose of this MOU is to strengthen the collaborations between the Participants in areas of mutual interest, which may include crop and animal production and protection, agricultural utilization and bioenergy, and sustainable agriculture, through cooperative research programs and exchanges. To this end, the Participants intend jointly to explore and coordinate research activities of mutual interest which should be implemented by mutual understanding and in conformity with the regulations and policies of both Participants.

Approach:
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines in general terms the basis on which the Participants intend to cooperate. Individual projects may be developed between the Participants that outline specific research projects. Jointly explore and coordinate research activities of mutual interest which should be implemented by mutual understanding and in conformity with the regulations and policies of both Participants.