ARS Policies 



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(5) develop information and systems to enhance the environment and 

 the natural resource base upon which a sustainable agricultural 

 economy depends: or 



(6) enhance human health — 



- by fostering the availability and affordability of a safe, wholesome, 

 and nutritious food supply that meets the needs and preferences 

 of the consumer, and 



- by assisting farmers and other rural residents in the detection and 

 prevention of health and safety concerns. 



Congress has established the above national agricultural research purposes to ensure that 

 ARS and other federally funded agricultural research is directed toward benefiting the 

 public and society in its entirety, including advancing the goals of agricultural 

 sustainability and economic opportunities in family farming and rural communities. 



Therefore: 



Within the scope of ARS° mission, responsibilities, and program objectives, all ARS 

 research projects are to be directed to one or more of these purposes. 



The agency will establish program criteria related to these purposes to guide the peer 

 review and approval processes for all new and revised research projects in ARS. 



ARS scientists and program officials will classify and code all research projects according 

 to their relevance to these purposes. 



ARS scientists and program officials will interpret research findings according to their 

 relevance to these purposes and will direct technology transfer activities to advance the 

 goals of these purposes. 



ARS program officials will set research priorities and support research projects that 

 advance the national research purposes. 



ARS scientists and research units will be recognized and rewarded for their achievements 

 in advancing the goals of the purposes through established mechanisms for personitel and 

 program evaluation. 



