Director
Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.
Welcome to the Pacific West Area
ARS’s Pacific West Area (PWA) delivers innovative research-based solutions to solve problems of importance to U.S. agriculture. Our programs ensure high agricultural productivity, good nutrition, prosperous rural and national economies, and healthy agroecosystems. The Area is composed of 49 research units at 21 locations in 8 states. There are 410 scientists in PWA and a total workforce of 1,430 temporary and permanent employees for fiscal year 2024.
Our diverse research portfolio includes ecologically friendly bioproducts, food processing, crop health and productivity, natural resources conservation, rangeland health, crop germplasm preservation, animal health, and human nutrition programs. Our relationships with stakeholders are paramount and ensure that the benefits of our research are realized by American agriculture and associated industries.
We Have Four Major Goals in the Pacific West Area:
1) Conduct high-quality, relevant research with impact;
2) Hire and retain a highly qualified, diverse workforce that strives for continual improvement;
3) Empower employees in their jobs and hold them accountable; and
4) Understand and respond to internal and external customer needs.
PWA embodies a spirit of innovation while embracing an environment of diversity, integrity, and transparency in pursuit of these goals.
Our Focus
- Animal Production and Protection
- Crop Production and Protection
- Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems
- Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality
How We Get It Done
- research projects
- 1430 employees
- 21 research locations
- $236 million budget
- international collaborations between
ARS and foreign collaborators
FY 2023 Outputs
- peer-reviewed journal articles
- new patent applications filed
- new patents issued
- new licenses
