United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Mission:
The United States Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, quality of life in rural America and related issues based on sound public policy, the best-available science and efficient management. The USDA improves the Nation’s economy and quality of life by:

• Enhancing economic opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers;
• Ensuring a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply;
• Caring for public lands and helping people care for private lands;
• Supporting the sound, sustainable development of rural communities;
• Expanding global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and
• Working to reduce hunger and improve America’s health through good nutrition.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
ARS Mission:
Conduct research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to:

• Ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; 
• Assess the nutritional needs of Americans;
• Sustain a competitive agricultural economy;
• Enhance the natural resource base and the environment;
• Provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole; and
• Provide the infrastructure necessary to create and maintain a diversified workplace.

Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (CPGRU)
CPGRU Mission:
Conduct research to develop information on and solves issues involving:

• Etiology and biology of diseases affecting deciduous fruit/nut trees, grapevine, and strawberry, and development of improved disease management approaches that do not rely on methyl bromide or other pesticides
• Rice genetics and germplasm enhancement for temperate environments
• Sustainable management of grapevine diseases and weeds
• Sustainable floriculture production systems

Accordingly, the unit's basic and applied research programs include:

• Determining the nature, biology, and pathogenic effects of bacteria, fungi, viruses, virus-like agents, and abiotic disorders that affect production of fruit/nut crops and developing alternative, environmentally sound disease management approaches
• Identifying and characterizing rice genes affecting agronomically important traits (e.g. cold tolerance, disease resistance, competitiveness) and developing enhanced rice germplasm
• Assessing and developing disease and weed management approaches for sustainable viticulture production
• Planning and implementing research on floriculture crops (i.e. cut flower and flowering potted plants) and production systems to improve the sustainability of greenhouse operations 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.