Agricultural
Research Service (ARS)
Headquarters: 5601
Sunnyside Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: 301-504-1074
Employees: 9,495
Administrator: Edward Knipling
Website: http://www.ars.usda.gov
Career Page
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is
the main scientific research agency for the United States Department
of Agriculture. The ARS's main responsibility is to find solutions
to important agricultural problems in America by researching
and collaborating with other research partners, universities,
organizations and companies, and other countries. Their discoveries
have helped create solutions to many health-related concerns
involving agriculture and food.
The job of the ARS is finding solutions
to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from
field to table-
-- Protecting crops and livestock from
pests and disease,
-- Improving the quality and safety of agricultural products,
-- Determining the best nutrition for people from infancy to
old age,
-- Sustaining our soil and other natural resources,
-- Ensuring profitability for farmers and processors,
-- Keeping costs down for consumers, and
-- Providing research support to other federal agencies.
For example, due to ARS research, many
food products are able to contain a fat substitute that consists
of oats and barley. These ingredients are much healthier than
fat itself. Also, ARS research has made it possible to have brands
of infant formula that are more similar
to breast milk. And thanks to the ARS, farmers can now plant
disease-and-pet-resistant crops.
ARS research is organized into 22 National
Programs, falling into four separate categories:
-- Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality
-- Animal Production and Protection
-- Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems
-- Crop Production and Protection
The agency has 1,200 research projects
within its 22 National Programs and 2,100 scientists.
From the farms to the tables, the ARS is
leading the country towards a healthy future through agricultural
research, studies, and information.
