Excerpt
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the in-house scientific research arm of USDA. We conduct research at more than 100 federal labs across the nation. Our research program scope is very broad, encompassing the entire food chain and including natural resources, crop production and protection, livestock production and protection, food safety and quality, biobased products, and human nutrition.
The natural resources component is a significant part, nearly 20%, of the total agency program. This research is carried out by about 400 scientists at 60 different laboratory locations. The research addresses technical issues related to soil, water, air, grazing lands, bioenergy, waste management, and sustainable agricultural systems. These programs provide science information and technology to the agricultural, land management, and environmental communities, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
ARS and NRCS have always had a close relationship. In fact, ARS's soil and water research programs were derived more than 50 years ago from the Soil Conservation Service, the predecessor organization of NRCS. Ever since, ARS has provided research support to the Soil Conservation Service and now NRCS.
The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) program is an outstanding real-time example of ARS research support to NRCS …
Footnotes
Edward b. Knipling, administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
- Copyright 2007 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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