GOAL V: Empower People and Communities, Through Research-Based Information and Education, to Address the Economic and Social Challenges of Our Youth, Families, and Communities.

Analysis of Results: This goal focuses primarily on activities designed to get research-based information to individuals and communities that will be useful to them in addressing a wide range of socio-economic issues. Under Goal V, seven Indicators are aligned under six Performance Goals. Because of the unique and dynamic nature of research, several Indicators were added to the Report that did not first appear in the Annual Performance Plan for FY 1999. This was done to ensure that significant accomplishments that were not anticipated last year were reported. While it is not possible to report research accomplishments numerically, the progress projected in all seven Indicators was completed or substantially completed during FY 1999.

OBJECTIVE 5.1: Economic opportunity and technology transfer: 'Conduct agricultural research to promote economic opportunity in rural communities and meet the increasing demand for information and technology transfer throughout the United States agriculture industry.'

STRATEGY 5.1.1: Rural development opportunities: Develop farming systems tailored to diverse agricultural production enterprises to enhance profits, sustainability, and environmental quality.

STRATEGY 5.1.2: Information access and delivery: Provide improved access to and dissemination of information to increase public knowledge and awareness of agricultural research, to aid technology transfer, and to speed up sharing of new knowledge.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A CD ROM was prepared and released and an Internet site was established to communicate information on controlling leafy spurge to a wide range of customers and stakeholders. The CD ROM is available from the ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney, Montana. The information on the home page can be accessed at www.team.ars.usda.gov.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: The information made available on this CD ROM and Internet home page will enable State and Federal agencies, farmers, ranchers and other customers and stakeholders to use the most current science-based information in their efforts to control this invasive weed.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will further expand efforts to be actively involved in the planning and organization of several events highlighting new ARS technologies and identifying industry partners for commercialization.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ARS staff members participated in 17 trade shows/technology transfer conferences. They attended trade shows related to biotechnology, fruit, vegetable, engineering, and information systems industries where ARS scientists exhibited their technologies and commercialization possibilities. Also, OTT filed 72 new patent applications; participated in 103 new CRADAs; licensed 23 new products; and developed 70 new plant varieties to be released to industry for further development and marketing.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: More than 800 packages of information on licensable technologies and the technology transfer program were distributed to small and large corporations at the trade shows. Direct interactions led to follow up actions with more than 200 companies to improve their customer service and maximize commercialization opportunities.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The corn rootworm areawide management program has become an excellent example of cooperative research and development activities among ARS, university, and private industry personnel. Since its inception in 1996, the program partnership has grown from five demonstration sites and 143 growers with 24,580 acres to nine demonstration sites and 167 growers with 34,580 acres. Six states, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, and Indiana, are currently participating in the program.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: A highly successful program review and partnership meeting was held in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 13-15, 1999. Overall participating partner field sites in the various states have a two- to three-fold reduction in adult rootworm population, although adult rootworm populations were higher than expected, but in all instances less than 10 percent of all fields in each state had economic damage from larval feeding in 1999. Partners in the program were awarded an ARS Technology Transfer Award in February 2000 'for recognition of outstanding cooperative technology transfer efforts involved in implementation of the national areawide IPM program for corn rootworm.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Over 40 meetings were held with staff members of OTT and the National Program Staff (NPS) to establish or modify agency policy for the protection of intellectual property, especially plant germplasm. NPS was invited to attend patent review committee meetings that concerned invention disclosures. In addition, technology transfer coordinators held more than 25 workshops at field locations. The meetings and workshops heightened the awareness of research scientists about patents, CRADAs, and disclosure of intellectual property.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: Increased contact between the NPS and OTT members enhanced the ability of individual ARS laboratories to work cooperatively with the private sector in areas of common interest without compromising private sector partner confidentiality. These efforts resulted in a more focused and consistent approach to intellectual property rights, the development of policies to guide scientists in their research efforts and the furtherance of the Agency mission. Earlier consideration of technology transfer issues in the research planning stage helps protect the government•s and taxpayer•s interest in intellectual property rights.

STRATEGY 5.1.3: Commercialize research results: Develop technology transfer systems that lead to commercialization of research results by industry.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will expand efforts to identify groups that will enhance the likelihood of identifying partners for commercialization of ARS technologies with particular emphasis on organizations concerned with minority businesses and rural development.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OTT continued its efforts to interact with State economic development entities to deliver new technologies. It coordinated technology transfer opportunities with the USDA Rural Business Service, Small Business Innovation Research Program, and the Resource Conservation and Development Program. OTT actively represented ARS research concerns before the Federal laboratory consortium in technology transfer outreach activities.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: Partnership activities with State economic development entities have led to interaction and formal agreements with ARS laboratories nationwide, as well as public financial backing of companies seeking to obtain licenses for ARS patented technology. Interaction with the California venture capital community led to providing financial resources to ARS licensees to further enhance commercialization efforts. Interaction in the Resource Conservation and Development program led to creation of two pilot projects that will incorporate various USDA resources to enhance the transfer ARS technology.