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:
• 750 research projects within 17 National Programs
• 2000 scientists and post docs
• 6,000 other employees
• 90+ research locations, including overseas laboratories
• $1.1 billion fiscal year budget
Mission Statement: ARS conducts 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