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(3) identification of functional areas where change will improve performance of the SAES- 

 USDA partnership and, (4) considerations for redirection or reorganization. 



USDA GOALS: 



The overall stated goals of reorganization of the Department are: (a) streamlining and 

 making the Department more efficient and "fanner friendly", (2) conserving fiscal resources, 

 and (3) reassessment of strategies and priorities to address changing needs. It is assumed 

 that the Congress and the Administration seek common goals and that changes in legislation 

 are possible, if needed. 



In our analysis of these goals, as they pertain to the SAESs, we developed a set of derivative 

 goals or targets for the Science and Education community that will enhance the function of 

 USDA and the SAES system: 



o Assure science based management of USDA programs 



o Provide improved ability to define strategic issues and from this to define directions 



and priorities with resource allocation to address these priorities 



o Improve the communication of research results to improve use and assure 



accountability 



o Improve the ability to respond to national needs at the local level both with respect 



to primary responsibilities of USDA and agriculture related issues in other parts of 

 government 



o Effective linkage with other parts of the federal science establishment to enhance 



cooperation and coordination of related research 



o Based on a clear national strategy, improve decentralized decision making and 



empowerment at the lowest possible functional level 



ATTRIBUTES OF THE PRESENT SAES SYSTEM: 



President Clinton, in his address to Congress on February 17, 1993, used the Land Grant 

 Universities as an example of the kind of re-investment in the future that his Administration 

 intends to make. While the system continues to evolve, and is far from perfect, the 

 following existing attributes seem to address the goals of the reorganization and, therefore, 

 should be continued and preserved: 



o An existing national network involving all states and six U.S. territories with grass- 



roots linkages and sophisticated broadly based university faculty having commitment 

 to address the problems of U.S. agriculture 



