Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS)

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:

• 800 research projects within 18 National Programs
• 2,200 scientists and post docs
• 6,200 other employees
• 90+ research locations, including overseas laboratories
• $1.1 billion fiscal year budget

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, and
• provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.