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About ARS

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 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:

  • 600 research projects within 15 National Programs  
  • 2,000 scientists and post docs  
  • 5,000 other employees  
  • 95 research locations
  • $1.7 billion fiscal year budget

Mission
ARS delivers scientific solutions to national and global agricultural challenges.

Vision
Global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

Core Values
Scientific excellence, creativity, innovation, integrity, leadership, collaboration, accountability, transparency, diversity, respect, inclusiveness, 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 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.

Administrators

The ARS Administrator is Dr. Simon Liu, Dr. Pamela Starke-Reed is the Acting Associate Administrator for National Programs and Mr. Joon Park is the Associate Administrator for Research Operations and Management. For more information see Biographical Sketches of our Administrators and the Administrator's Council.

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 Enterprise.

Research
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.

Plans and Reports
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 Plans and Reports

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

Budget
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.

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