This State/Federal partnership promulgates a unique system, not duplicated by any other Federal relationship, 

 that is unparalleled in its impact on a major sector of the U.S. economy. The functional partnership between the 

 States and USDA assures a close coupling with the users of the products of science and education. In particular, 

 USDA has access to a continuing education network located in each county in every State. This unique system offers 

 an opportunity for transfer of knowledge and technology aimed not just at production of food and fiber, but targeted 

 to improve the quality of life of all citizens. 



Historically, most USDA funding was provided to universities via formula grants. For the past several decades, 

 however, the Department has moved increasingly toward competitive research and teaching grants programs. To as- 

 sure excellence in its programs, grant recipients are selected by means of rigorous merit review of proposals by 

 peers. Criteria used in merit reviews of competitive grants are tailored to the specific program. In addition, USDA 

 often provides support via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to universities for conducting essential re- 

 search that helps USDA and other Federal regulatory agencies meet their regulatory missions. 



Public Benefits from Research-Intensive Universities/Federal Government Relationship: 



America's food and fiber system is one of its greatest success stories. A major contributor to this success has 

 been USDA's long-standing relationship to the university community. USDA conducts and sponsors research that 

 covers the spectrum from very basic discovery level studies to applied research. Programs are driven by strategic 

 planning in which perspectives on needs are solicited from the broad community of users of the products of research 

 while scientific objectives are solicited from scientists with a vision of opportunities to address new needs. Research 

 is directed toward addressing societal issues, such as (1) restoring and preserving the environment and natiu'al 

 resources, (2) assuring the dietary health and well-being of the populace, and (3) maintaining and enhancing the 

 competitiveness of U.S. agriculture-based industry in the international marketplace. Further, USDA has invested in 

 the future well-being of the country through excellence in science and education for over a hundred years. In par- 

 ticular, USDA benefits the public in the following areas. 



• Environment and Natural Resources: 



Manage farm lands, range lands, and forests to assure protection and enhancement of the quality of soil and 

 water resources, reduce erosion, and assure compatibility of production agriculture and forestry practices 

 with sustaining and protecting the environment. 



" Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health: 



Develop further knowledge of human dietary requirements for maintaining the health and quality of life for 

 a population with diverse ethnic and income backgrounds; provide new knowledge and technology to as- 

 sure the quality and safety of food; develop new sources of food with enhanced quality and safety. 



• New Products and Alternative Uses for Existing Raw Materials: 



Increase global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture by using new technologies to add value to raw material 

 through processing and to develop alternative uses for current raw materials that contribute to environmen- 

 tal quality and provide new sources of agricultural income. 



• Economic and Social Issues: 



Provide economic models to evaluate policy options for domestic and international market and trade 

 policies; develop new knowledge to enhance the quality of life for families and rural communities; and as- 

 sess the socioeconomic impact of changing technology. 



• Efficiency and Sustainability of Production of Food and Fiber: 



Advance the quality of animal and plant products; reduce use of expensive chemicals that pose potential en- 

 vironmental threats; enhance performance through genetic improvements using modem biological methods; 

 improve overall management strategies for effective and environmentally sound use of natural resources. 



• Highly Qualified Scientific and Professional Work Force: 



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