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.

Means and Strategies: To successfully accomplish the research activities under this goal, ARS will need the level of human, fiscal, physical, and information resources portrayed in the budget estimates for fiscal years 1999 to 2003.

Verification and Validation: ARS currently conducts a series of review processes designed to ensure the relevance and quality of its research work and to maintain the highest possible standards for its scientists. A more detailed description of the evaluation plans can be found in the introduction to this plan.

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.

During FY 2000, ARS will determine whether high value nut trees and specialty crops, such as ginseng and mushrooms can be established in agroforestry systems being developed for Appalachia and the Ozarks. Establishment of such crops will lessen U.S. dependency on imports and provide higher income to these economically-depressed rural areas.

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.

During FY 2000, ARS will

During FY 2001, ARS will enhance online options from the OTT Home Page to maximize the transfer of ARS technologies to the private sector by adding a searchable database for CRADA opportunities.

During FY 2000, ARS will

During FY 2001, ARS will

increase outreach activities with proactive participation at selected industry trade shows and increase activity with venture capital groups to highlight technology transfer opportunities and services.

During FY 2000, ARS will participate in National Program Reviews and Area Leadership Conferences to enhance technology transfer education and information.

During FY 2001, ARS will expand efforts to work with NPS to develop policies for transfer of technologies and make such considerations early in the research planning process. New training programs will be developed to inform research leaders and new scientists of technology transfer procedures and concerns.

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

During FY 2000, ARS will expand efforts to identify groups that will enhance the probability of identifying partners for commercialization of ARS technologies. ARS will give particular emphasis to organizations concerned with minority businesses and rural development.

During FY 2001, ARS will provide the International Trade Division of the Commerce Department with ARS-linked companies for incorporation in its international industry promotion program and continue to develop partnerships with States, the Minority Business Technology Transfer Consortium, and Rural Conservation and Development Councils to enhance small businesses in rural communities.

During FY 2000, ARS will expand negotiation of licenses for ARS technology by training the Technology Transfer Coordinators in procedures. This will enhance customer service and facilitate the licensing process. OTT will provide oversight to ensure consistent implementation of Federal Regulations.

During FY 2001, ARS will expand license monitoring to ensure compliance with terms and shorten the time period required to provide a final draft to licensees.