USDA Agricultural Research Service Strategic Plan for FY 2012 – 2017

1.2 Food Safety 5 4.3

1.3 Quality & Utilization of Ag Products 2B, 7 1.3 2: Natural Resources & 2.1 Water Availability & Watershed Sustainable Ag Systems Mgmt 3A 2.2 & 2.3

2.2 Climate Change, Soils & Emissions Research 2A 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3

2.3 Bioenergy 2B 1.1

2.4 Agricultural & Industrial Byproducts 3B 1.3, 2.1 & 4.3

2.5 Rangeland, Pasture & Forages 3B 2.1

2.6 Agricultural Competitiveness & Sustainability 2A, 2B, 3B 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3

3.1 Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, 3: Crop Production & Genetic Improvement, and Crop Protection Production 1A, 1C 1.3, 3.1 & 4.4

3.2 Plant Diseases, Crop Protection & Quarantine, and Methyl Bromide Alternatives 1B, 1C 4.4 4: Animal Production & Protection 4.1 Animal Production 1A, 1B, 1C 1.3 & 3.1 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 vi INTRODUCTION

4.2 Prevention and Control of Pests and Animal Disease that Threaten Agriculture 1B, 1C 1.3, 3.1, 4.3 & 4.4 5: Equal Employment 5.1 Develop a Model Equal Employment Opportunity Opportunity (EEO) Program MI 2 Goals Each Goal Area (with the exception of EEO/CR, an overarching Agency Goal Area) includes specific goals that are aligned groupings of ARS’ 18 National Programs, derived from the Agency’s specific mission, as outlined in each 5-year National Program Action Plan. In developing their individual Project Plans, each ARS scientist will, in turn, align his or her research objectives with the overarching goals identified in this portion of the ARS Strategic Plan, thereby ensuring continuity with the USDA, REE, and ARS vision for agricultural research. Performance Measures – Explaining the Numbering System The 14 performance measures describe specific measurable achievements, which indicate progress toward reaching the broader objectives and goals. The first digit of the performance measure ties it to the primary USDA Strategic Goal that is being addressed, the next digit represents the ARS goal area, while the 3rd digit together with the ARS goal area, represents the specific ARS goal. Performance Targets There are a number of performance targets that will be used to achieve each performance measure. These are research components broken down to more clearly align research products and accomplishments with the appropriate performance measure, with a baseline and target to be reached by 2017. Strategies and Means These include some of the specific research activities that ARS anticipates conducting during the next 5 years to address each Performance Measure. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 vii INTRODUCTION National Research Program Management in ARS Approximately 800 research projects from around the Country are aligned into 18 National Programs that encompass all the research of the Agency. The National Programs are grouped into four program areas: Animal Production and Protection, Crop Production and Protection, Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, and Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality. Each of the four program areas is managed by a Deputy Administrator, and each program is led by a team of National Program Leaders (NPLs). Some 30 NPLs are responsible for planning and developing research strategies to address critical issues affecting American agriculture. Nearly 200 Research Leaders work with 8 geographically-based Area Directors to implement the coordinated research objectives issued by the National Program Leaders. Relevance → Retrospective Assessment Report → Workshop with Customers and Scientists prepared for and provided to customers → National Program Developed Program Planning (including NP Strategic Plan and Action Plan) Impact Priority Setting → Retrospect national program → Program planning review by external customer (including centralized project panel direction and resource allocation) Program Scientific Merit Assessment Peer Review → Project planning (including Project Plan Outline and Project Plan) Program Project → Scientific peer review for project quality Coordination Implementation → National Program performance monitored annually → Research initiated Quality → Research project and personnel performance monitored annually Performance Implementation of the Five-Year National Program Cycle The overarching objectives of the National Programs are relevance, quality, and impact of ARS research, all important elements of improved accountability. Research must be relevant to the highest priority problems, the goals and outcomes of the research should significantly impact the problems, and the science must meet the highest standards of quality. To ensure that these objectives could be achieved, ARS implemented the National Program Cycle, a cycle of phases embodying a series of recurring activities. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 viii INTRODUCTION The 5-year program management cycle illustrates the activities by which ARS conducts its research: program planning and priority setting, peer review, project implementation, program coordination, and assessment. The cycle ties these activities together in a recurring 5-year sequence to ensure effective and efficient program and project management within ARS. Ongoing monitoring of project quality and performance takes place throughout the program cycle, and adjustments are made when necessary to improve performance or meet emerging challenges. At the end of the program’s 5-year cycle, a rigorous National Program Retrospective Review is convened. The purpose is two-fold: to ensure, based on feedback from an outside group of experts (made up of academics, stakeholders, and government) that the research is being conducted as indicated in the Action Plan; and to gain advice and insight from these same experts as to the future direction of the research. Relevance, Quality (Prospective and Retrospective), and Performance—these objectives are what a research organization must promote to be successful. Program Planning and Priority Setting, Scientific Merit Peer Review, Project Implementation and Coordination, and Program Assessment —prescribe the actions that the Agency undertakes carefully, thoroughly, and with outside review to demonstrate that our research is of the highest quality. Increasing Communication within and outside ARS By definition, the planning and implementation of National Program research is designed to be a participatory process requiring significant input from the broad sources of expertise and experience within and outside the Agency. Through coordinated efforts that emphasize communication with valued partners and scientists, ARS can ensure that public resources are expended in a targeted and synchronized fashion on scientifically and programmatically relevant problems. Further, by gathering input from outside users of ARS research, the Agency meets the ever-increasing demand for public accountability. ARS solicits input from the Administration, regulatory and action agencies, producers and producer groups, university communities, and non-governmental organizations, often through face-to-face exchanges. By accounting for the needs and priority issues of these customers, stakeholders, and partners, ARS develops responsive research that emphasizes meeting short-term emergencies or requirements as well as long- term sustained research to address problems of regional, national, and international scope and importance. Emphasis on communication and coordination ultimately ensures that the physical, financial, and human resources of ARS are deployed appropriately to address high-priority agricultural, food, and environmental research needs of the Nation. Because agricultural research is not the exclusive domain of any public or private entity, the very specific and the wide variety of needs that farmers, producers, ranchers, and industry stakeholders have must be met in a broad collaborative and cooperative effort. ARS has developed and continues to utilize an extensive network of research relationships among researchers with universities, industry, and other Federal government agencies to meet the research needs of U.S. agriculture. First among those Federal relationships is the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA’s extramural research agency. ARS and NIFA national program leaders work closely together to ensure that research funded by each agency is complimentary, and not duplicative. For example, ARS and NIFA national program leaders have collaborated on utilizing intramural and extramural research to develop joint action strategies for research on plant diseases and pests (i.e., citrus greening), animal diseases, and water and soil conservation. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 ix INTRODUCTION National Programs ARS organizes its research activities under 18 National Programs under four broad categories: Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality; Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems; Crop Production and Protection; and Animal Production and Protection. To best address issues of agricultural importance, ARS makes regular adjustments to this program structure. The structure appears below. Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality • Food Safety (Animal and Plant Products) • Human Nutrition • Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems • Water Availabiity and Watershed Management • Climate Change, Soils and Emissions Research • Bioenergy • Agricultural and Industrial Byproducts • Pasture, Forage and Rangeland Systems • Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability Crop Production and Protection • Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement • Plant Biological and Molecular Processes • Plant Diseases • Crop Protection and Quarantine • Crop Production • Methyl Bromide Alternatives Animal Production and Protection • Food Animal Production • Animal Health • Veterinary, Medical , and Urban Entomology • Aquaculture STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 x Strategic Goal Area 1: Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality The Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality research and information area exists to lead and coordinate ARS research and information dissemination to define the role of food and its components in optimizing health for all Americans; develop tests and processes that keep the food supply safe; reduce and control pathogens and toxins in agricultural products; and improve the economic viability and competitiveness of American agriculture by enhancing the quality and utilization of agricultural products for the benefit of producers and consumers. GOAL 1.1 – ENABLE AMERICANS TO MAKE HEALTH-PROMOTING, SCIENCE-BASED DIETARY CHOICES: HUMAN NUTRITION (107) To improve the nutrition and health of the American people, ARS conducts research on the quality of the American diet and on related health behaviors. Distinctive aspects of this research include an emphasis on a food-based approach to improving health; the core capability to sustain long-term research in areas deemed of high priority for the Nation’s health; the availability of state-of-the-science equipment and facilities for human research across the lifecycle; and the conduct of multidisciplinary research to improve the nutritional value of the American diet and food supply. The mission of the Human Nutrition Program is to define the role of food and its components in optimizing health throughout the life cycle for all Americans by conducting high national priority research. This research emphasizes study of essential nutrients and nonessential, health-promoting components in foods; evaluating the nutritional value of diets eaten by people in America; determining how consumption of specific foods or food components can enhance health; and developing strategies to improve food choices and lifestyle factors. Increasingly, research focuses on addressing over-consumption and caloric imbalance with incorporation of cutting-edge genomic and metabolomic technologies to carry out research. Research addresses four overarching components: nutrition monitoring, the scientific basis for dietary recommendations, obesity prevention, and life stage nutrition and metabolism. Information dissemination programs operated by the National Agricultural Library address general and specific human nutrition issues and audiences and include general Web portals such as www.nutrition.gov as well as the targeted Web sites of the Food and Nutrition Information Center. Performance Measure

4.1.1 Monitor nutrient composition of food supply and consumption by Americans while conducting research on life stage nutrition and metabolism. Strengthen the scientific basis for dietary guidance for health promotion and disease prevention and develop strategies for prevention of obesity and related diseases. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 11 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 Performance Targets 1.1.A Monitor Nutrient Composition of the Food Supply and Consumption by Americans Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Three datasets on food composition and dietary intake were released by Cumulatively, 15 databases ARS and used by customers developed and released to to establish Federal dietary ARS customers. policy guidelines, food assistance and feeding programs, and food labeling to safeguard the health of the American people. 1.1.B Strengthen the Scientific Basis for Dietary Guidance for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Four research studies on health effects of foods or Cumulatively, 20 studies nutrients published in published and released to peer-reviewed scientific ARS customers. journals that contribute evidence used in Dietary Reference Intake reports or the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 1.1.C Develop Strategies for Prevention of Obesity and Related Diseases Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Five papers in peer- Cumulatively, 25 papers reviewed scientific journals documenting these that test innovative discoveries added to the approaches to preventing scientific literature on this obesity or related topic. conditions. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 12 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 1.1.D Conduct Research on Life Stage Nutrition and Metabolism Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Five studies published in peer-reviewed journals that increase knowledge of Cumulatively, 25 scientific nutrient requirements in discoveries will be the youngest and oldest documented in scientific Americans, how nutritional publications. status relates to health, and how genes and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to this interplay. Strategies and Means • Determine food consumption and dietary patterns of Americans • Determine food consumption and dietary patterns of “high-risk” populations in the United States • Update U.S. food composition data • Enhance the health-promoting quality of the food supply • Identify roles of food, nutrients, food components, and physical activity in promoting health and preventing disease • Improve the science base for updating national dietary standards and guidelines • Identify causes and consequences of obesity and related disorders • Develop and evaluate strategies to prevent obesity and related diseases • Evaluate the role of the dietary guidelines for Americans in preventing obesity • Understand mechanisms by which nutrition promotes healthy development and function from conception to old age • Define the basis for, and consequences of, nutritional programming • Expand and improve the human nutrition portals and web sites operated by the National Agricultural Library STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 13 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 GOAL 1.2 – PROTECT FOOD FROM PATHOGENS, TOXINS, AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION DURING PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND PREPARATION: FOOD SAFETY (108) The safety of the food supply continues to be a highly visible public health issue and a national priority for the Federal government. The continued priority is partly due to the diverse and complex system of production, processing, and distribution of food in the U.S. and the increasing global distribution. Outbreaks of foodborne illness are seen as a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and economic costs, both nationally and internationally. The full extent of the disease burden is still unknown, even with recent CDC estimates. Foodborne illnesses can be caused by microbial pathogens, parasites, viruses and an array of foodborne contaminants such as chemicals or toxins. The cause of every outbreak is still unknown, but persistent outbreaks of major commodity-specific foods that may directly affect public health, regulations, industry, and trade, require our immediate attention. ARS has developed an integrated approach to food safety, that is, food production is seen as a continuous process from production, through harvesting and processing, to retail and the consumer. Pre- and post-harvest are not separated but considered an integrated production system of safe and quality food. Interventions and controls that are applied to one phase will ultimately affect the other segments of food production and processing. Food safety research has also changed during the past decade, having moved past simple, surveillance/prevalence studies to asking more complex questions. Consequently, researchers are required to think creatively to solve problems, which means considering alternate perspectives, exploiting new opportunities and technologies, and crossing conventional boundaries. Multidisciplinary collaborations, especially between Centers/Institutes, nationally and internationally are an absolute necessity. ARS provides the intramural infrastructure and expertise to address short and long-term needs in food safety. Because of the infrastructure, ARS is uniquely poised to respond quickly to emerging and critical food safety issues. ARS also collaborates closely with Federal regulatory agencies as well as industry, professional, and international stakeholders to assist in addressing their specific food safety needs. Performance Measure

4.1.2 Develop new technologies that assist ARS customers in detecting, identifying and controlling foodborne diseases associated with the consumption of animal products that affect human health. Performance Targets 1.2.A Develop detection methodologies for food-borne pathogens and technologies for the rapid and sensitive detection of toxins, chemicals, and biologics that can be implemented for improved food safety and food defense. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Develop and transfer one new technology to ARS customers to detect, Cumulatively, five new identify, and control technologies will be foodborne pathogens and developed and transferred. contaminants along the food production continuum. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 14 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 1.2.B Conduct and evaluate research that will lead to effective control and intervention strategies for the reduction of microbial, chemical, and other contaminants of the food supply, as well as elucidation of the molecular and physiological mechanisms that allow for persistence, survival, and transmission of foodborne pathogens in the populations and environment. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Identify and evaluate Identify and evaluate potential control and potential control and intervention strategies for intervention strategies for the reduction and control the reduction and control of foodborne pathogens of foodborne pathogens and contaminants along and contaminants along the food production the food production continuum. continuum. Strategies and Means • Identify and characterize the movement, structure, and dynamics of populations throughout food production and processing. • Apply concepts of systems biology, taking advantage of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, to the study of pathogenicity and virulence. • Develop and evaluate technologies for the detection and characterization of microbial contaminants. • Develop new intervention and control strategies for the reduction and control of foodborne pathogens and foodborne contaminants along the entire food production. • Develop and evaluate predictive microbiology and data acquisition studies to understand microorganisms and their immediate environment and that can be used in risk assessments. • Develop and evaluate detection methods and toxicology (including toxins) for the regulation, reduction, and control of veterinary drugs, chemical residues, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and biological toxins derived from bacteria, fungi and plants. • Expand and improve the services of the national agricultural library food safety research information office. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 15 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 GOAL 1.3 – ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF U.S. AGRICULTURE BY MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF HARVESTED AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES OR OTHERWISE ENHANCING THEIR MARKETABILITY, MEETING CONSUMER NEEDS, DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT PROCESSING CONCEPTS, AND EXPANDING DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE-ADDED FOOD AND NONFOOD TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS, EXCEPT ENERGY AND FUELS. (QUALITY AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS – 306) This research will increase our knowledge and develop technologies to better measure or enhance the quality of crop and animal products after harvest. Similarly, the marketability and value of commodities can be increased by ensuring that value-added food products (such as fresh-cut or minimally processed produce) retain sensory quality, nutritional value, and are free from food safety hazards. The research in this National Program will also generate new information on health promoting components of foods and assess their effects on important human diseases and obesity, in cooperation with the Human Nutrition National Program (NP 107) and other partners. In addition to food quality and safety, consumers have expressed concern over rising food prices which can be attributed to multiple factors. A significant factor in the cost of food production can be attributed to food waste or rot. Estimates indicate that approximately 27% of food produced in the U.S. is lost as waste among retailers, food service businesses, and consumers. Additional losses occur during food harvesting, storage, and distribution. The magnitude of the loss is even greater when resources spent on growing food such as fuel, water, fertilizer, chemicals, land-use and human resources are considered. NP 306 research will develop technologies that improve quality, extend product shelf life, reduce waste, and decrease costs. Research is being conducted on the development of nonfood, nonfuel biobased products from agricultural commodities and byproducts. Interest in biobased products has increased as consumers and governments have sought more environmentally friendly products that provide alternatives to petroleum and which do not contribute to greenhouse gases. Thus, biobased products can reduce our dependency on petroleum and provide a more sustainable technology for the future. Biobased products that were once too expensive to commercialize may now be affordable. There is some public concern that biobased products could contribute to the rising cost of food in the U.S. This program seeks opportunities to develop biobased products from agricultural feedstocks that do not compete with food, in cooperation with other ARS national programs and partners. ARS also supports quality and processing research on crop fiber, such as cotton, and animal hides, leather and wool. Stakeholders who produce fibers and hides constitute an important segment of our rural economy. These industries are severely impacted by energy and production costs and have lost market share to foreign competition. Technologies that improve fiber quality, reduce the energy consumption of processing equipment, and develop new products are needed to help the fiber industry to compete in a global market. Performance Measure

1.1.3 Develop methods and technologies to better define, measure, preserve or enhance quality and improve utilization of food crops, animals and agricultural fibers, as well as non-food, non-fuel biobased products and sustainable technologies/processes. Performance Targets 1.3.A Develop Methods and Technologies to Better Define, Measure, Preserve, or Enhance Quality and Improve Utilization of Food Crops and Animals 1.3.B Develop Methods and Technologies to Better Define, Measure, Preserve, or Enhance Quality and Improve Utilization of Agricultural Fibers STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 16 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 1 1.3.C Develop Non-Food, Non-Fuel Biobased Products and Sustainable Technologies/Processes The following baselines and targets apply to all three performance targets listed above. Non-food, non-fuel biobased products derived from renewable agricultural resources represent a small fraction of the market for petroleum-based industrial products and some are not yet economically competitive. Also, many agricultural products are marketed as low-value commodities, with postharvest spoilage decreasing return to producers. Healthy foods are often not convenient or readily accepted by significant numbers of consumers. Quality of agricultural fibers needs to be assured in an increasingly competitive global market. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Cumulatively, 20 new technologies developed by ARS and adopted for uses that provide food crops Four new biobased or fiber and products with higher products and food items quality and extended shelf with improved quality, life; convenient and nutritional or functional acceptable healthy foods; characteristics were non-food, non-fuel developed by ARS and used biobased products with by customers, both cost and performance domestic and foreign. features comparable or superior to petroleum- based products; high quality agricultural fibers; and valuable co-products from agricultural residues and processing wastes. Strategies and Means • Define, measure, preserve, or enhance quality of foods and agricultural fibers • Identify and characterize new bioactive ingredients and develop functional foods • Develop new or improved technologies, processes, or products for foods and agricultural fibers • Identify and characterize agricultural feedstocks and byproducts for biobased products • Develop sustainable technologies/ processes which facilitate development of biobased products STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 17 Strategic Goal Area 2: Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems ate Prosperity So They Are Self-Sustaining, Repopulating, and , affordable, and sustainable food, feed, fiber and renewable energy whi Our research creates profitable agricultural systemsmerica. We conduct research that explains the nature and function of agricultural systems and their physical, chemical, and biological components. With that explanatory power, we develop abilities to predict how agricultural systems may respond to different environments or management scenarios. Once we can make predictions with confidence, we turn that knowledge into decision support tools and methods for: • Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of management practices for agricultural systems and working lands to enhance ecosystem goods and services, including the sustainable production of agricultural commodities; • Managing soil, water, air, and biological resources for society’s benefits, including reductions in environmental impact, under different climatic regimes and environmental conditions; • Providing agricultural products and co-products as renewable, bio-based alternatives to petroleum as inputs to manufacturing and generating energy; • Developing new, valuable, environmentally sound uses for agricultural and industrial byproducts. Major priorities for ARS research on interactions among land, water, atmosphere, and diverse biological communities include remediation and use of degraded water for production of a wide range of crops; protection and enhancement of ecosystem goods and services arising from our natural resources; adaptation of agricultural production systems to climate change, and mitigation of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; development of diverse energy crops and agronomic practices for efficient and sustainable production, optimized for different geographic regions and climatic conditions throughout the U.S.; identification of safe uses of agricultural wastes and byproducts in generating energy/fuel and value-added biochemical products and fertilizers; creation and evaluation of conservation practices and land management decision-support tools arising from ARS’ long-term agricultural research conducted in the agency’s unique, critical infrastructure of instrumented watersheds and rangelands; development of widely accessible databases to support analyses of agriculture, land management, and the environment; and creation of a broad-based data and information access portal at the National Agricultural Library to enable life-cycle analyses and development/validation of sustainability indices for agricultural production and delivery systems . GOAL 2.1 – INTEGRATED, EFFECTIVE, AND SAFE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (WATER AVAILABILITY AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT - 211) There is no substitute for fresh water nor are there replacements for its essential role in maintaining human health, agriculture, industry, and ecosystem integrity. As the nation was established and expanded, it flourished in part because of its abundant and readily available water and natural resources. In the 21st century, the nation faces depleted ground water reserves, degraded water quality, and adverse climate conditions that are reducing the amount of available freshwater. At the same time, allocations of our freshwater resources are shifting among different users and different needs (e.g., from agricultural to urban uses; from storing water supplies in reservoirs to maintaining in-stream flows to support healthy aquatic ecosystems; from industrial and energy production to recreation). Our shared freshwater supply has been significantly reduced and is becoming more variable, unreliable, and inadequate to meet the needs and demands of an expanding population. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 18 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 Today, agriculture is the largest user of fresh water yet offers opportunities for conserving water supplies and improving water quality for drinking, swimming, and fishing. Agriculture faces new challenges—the increasing demand for water by our cities, farms, and aquatic ecosystems; the increasing reliance on irrigated agriculture for crop and animal production and farm income; and changing water supplies due to groundwater depletion in some areas, climate variability, and global change. Science can provide the tools needed by water planners and managers to accurately predict the outcomes of proposed water management decisions, and new technologies can widen the range of options for future water management. The factual basis for decision-making includes an understanding of effectiveness, potential unintended consequences, and a plan for getting water users and agencies to adopt the most effective technologies. The Nation has the opportunity to use science and technology to build a strong economy and to improve human and ecological health. Performance Measure

2.2.1 Develop technology and practices to promote improvement of integrated, effective and safe water resource management. Performance Targets 2.1.A Develop Tools and Technologies to Improve the Effectiveness of Agricultural Water Management. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 ARS released new FAO water quality guidelines for irrigation with marginal waters and treated wastewaters, replacing earlier guidelines that: did Cumulatively, 17 models, not consider pH; and tools, databases, sets of underestimated the effects guidelines, or design of sodium absorption on criteria developed and water infiltration. The new released to ARS customers. guidelines were used by customers to improve the ability to evaluate the infiltration of hazards associated with the application of marginal waters or treated wastewaters, ensuring safer use of saline waters for irrigation and increasing the water available to support irrigated agriculture. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 19 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.1.B Improve the Scientific Understanding of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Contaminant Transport Processes from Agricultural Fields and Landscapes to Facilitate the Development of Tools and Technologies to Better Protect the Agricultural Water Quality. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 ARS released version 2010.1 of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model, to users in Cumulatively, 16 the US and throughout the technologies, databases, world. Customers include tools, models, or sensor- land managers and based monitoring systems conservationists charged developed and released to with predicting runoff, soil ARS customers. loss, and sediment yield from hill slopes and small watersheds. The new version gives improved performance especially in areas experiencing substantial erosion from snowmelt on thawing soils. 2.1.C Develop Strategies to Improve the Effectiveness of Agricultural Conservation Efforts by Developing New or Improved Conservation Practices, Improving Practice Placement to Maximize Effectiveness and Minimize Cost, and Developing a Better Understanding of the Effects of Agricultural Conservation at the Landscape Scale. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Three tools to enhance Cumulatively, 10 tools, conservation effectiveness technologies, models, released by ARS and used databases, or improved by customers to improve conservation practices conservation management. developed and released to ARS customers STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 20 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.1.D Conduct Research to Improve Watershed Management and Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Landscapes. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Two tools to enhance watershed management and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes Cumulatively, 10 tools, released by ARS and used models, databases, or by customers to improve technologies developed flash flood forecasting and and released to ARS set design standards for customers flood and transport infrastructure, erosion estimates, storm characteristics, and other watershed processes. Strategies and Means • Develop irrigation scheduling technologies for water use efficiency • Achieve water productivity at multiple scales • Develop irrigation application methods • Improve dryland/rainfed water management • Improve drainage water management and control • Expand use of degraded waters • Manage field scale processes controlling contaminant fate and transport • Quantify and predict in-stream processes • Explain ecological response to improved water quality • Develop and test cost-effective control measures for agriculture, urban, and turf systems • Improve our understanding of the aggregate effects of conservation practices at the watershed scale • Improve our ability to select and place conservation practices on the landscape for maximum effectiveness • Improve conservation practices to better protect water resources • Maintain the effectiveness of conservation practices under changing climate and land use • Characterize how conservation practices affect ecosystem services • Develop a better understanding of the economic impacts and social drivers of conservation practice adoption in agricultural watersheds • Develop tools to improve hydrologic assessment and watershed management • Improve watershed management and ecosystem services through long-term observation and characterize of agricultural watersheds and landscapes • Maintain water availability in a changing global environment • Develop tools to improve the quantification of hydrologic processes and water budget parameters in varying landscapes and under varying conditions. • Clarify the water implications of biofuel production • Downscale climate change impacts to improve water availability and watershed management STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 21 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 GOAL 2.2 – IMPROVE QUALITY OF ATMOSPHERE AND SOIL RESOURCES, UNDERSTAND EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE (CLIMATE CHANGE, SOILS AND EMISSIONS RESEARCH – 212) Agricultural systems function within the soil-atmosphere continuum. Mass and energy exchange processes occur within this continuum and agriculture can significantly affect the processes. Emissions from agriculture to the atmosphere affect air quality and increase atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. While GHG emissions are a result of the natural cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), these emissions also contribute to climate change. A changing climate impacts agriculture, range and pasture systems, and soils through alterations of precipitation and temperature patterns. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration has an enhanced fertilization effect on plants, particularly weeds. Combining these impacts of changing climate can alter habitats, thus changing the distribution of pathogens, weeds, and invasive species, resulting in increased threats to agricultural production and increasing the cost of production. The impacts of climate change clearly create challenges to agriculture and soil, water and air resources, and yet may also offer new opportunities for agricultural production and enhancement of soil quality. Soils are a crucial boundary resource between agriculture and the atmosphere. Soils in agricultural systems must be managed to meet rising global demands for food, feed, fiber, fuel and ecosystem services while maintaining soil productivity and limiting undesirable interactions between soils and the atmosphere. Enhancement of soil productivity is a focus of ARS research and together with crop improvement research, offers promise for meeting future global agricultural demands. The variability of the atmosphere, soils, and plants, and the complexity of interactions among these systems require collaborations by ARS scientists conducting NP212 research. Formal and informal Cross Location Research (CLR) projects including the Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network (GRACEnet), the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), and field campaigns focused on air quality are successful examples. Synthesis and integration of information, including sources outside NP212 research projects, increases the utility and impact of ARS research for producers, land managers and policy-makers. Efficient assimilation of data from NP212 projects into existing and future collaborative data bases enhances synthesis and integration analyses and expands research opportunities. Performance Measure

2.2.2 Improve quality of atmosphere and soil resources; understand effects of climate change through development of knowledge and technologies. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 22 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 Performance Targets 2.2.A Enable Improvements of Air Quality via Management and Mitigation of Emissions from Agricultural Operations. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Integrated Farm Systems Protocols implemented for Model (IFSM) and Dairy standardized air quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions research data collection Model (DairyGEM) and storage with transport developed with focus on parameters and emission NE US agricultural systems, rates for emission and as a prototype for on-farm transport model improve- decision support ment, evaluation, and technology. validation. IFSM and DairyGEM calibrated and tested for other regions of US. 2.2.B Develop Knowledge and Technologies for Reducing Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Through Management of Agricultural Emissions and Carbon Sequestration. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Cumulative GRACEnet Agriculture project production of 208 product/production scientific publications on system/-specific decision GHG emissions and carbon support tools and sequestration in US management strategies for croplands and rangelands. balancing production goals, environmental stewardship objectives, GHG emission reductions, and C sequestration. 2.2.C Enable Agriculture to Adapt to Climate Change. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Data revealing anticipated Prototype decision support impacts of climate change tools that enable on crop production, weeds, sustainable agriculture pathogens, food and forage under conditions of quality. changing climate STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 23 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.2.D Develop Technologies for Maintaining and Enhancing Soil Resources. Baseline 2010 Target 2017 Data on effects of biochar Develop guidelines and amendments and crop practices to lower rotations on soil biomass, production costs, improve carbon cycling and soil quality and health, and enzymes. reduce use of energy and petroleum-based products. Strategies and Means • Understand, predict, and manage emissions from cropping systems • Understand, predict, and manage emissions from animal operations • Understand, predict, and manage emissions from post harvest processing systems • Understand and measure emissions of greenhouse gases from agricultural sources • Develop process understanding of GHG emissions • Develop improved technologies and agricultural systems to manage greenhouse gas emissions • Understand the responses of crops, rangelands and pasture systems to anticipated climate change • Understand the impact of anticipated climate change on endemic pests, weeds and diseases • Evaluate germplasm and identify genetic variation that will respond positively to climate change • Evaluate and adapt agronomic management to climate change • Identify and develop scalable methodologies for assessing potential impacts and adaptation of agriculture to climate change • Develop strategies for controlling soil erosion • Improve soil management and water use efficiency • Improve nutrient cycling and Use STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 24 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 GOAL 2.3 – DEVELOP TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE SUSTAINABLE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS (BIOENERGY - 213) The ARS Bioenergy program develops technologies to enable sustainable commercial production of biofuels by the agricultural sector in ways that enhance our natural resources without disrupting existing food, feed, and fiber markets. Research will optimize both the production of plant feedstocks and the biorefining of agricultural materials to bioenergy and value-added coproducts. This research will strengthen rural economies, provide increased supplies of renewable transportation fuel, enhance energy security, and improve the U.S. balance of trade. The growth and long-term viability of bioenergy production in the Nation is impeded by a number of technical and commercial barriers. ARS leverages its unique strengths and capabilities to pursue technical barriers that can be overcome by ARS resources. In addition to tackling specific technical barriers and leveraging ARS core competencies, ARS bioenergy research is consistent with relevant non-technical considerations associated with public policy, general resource constraints, and overall practices/trends within the bioenergy industry. Performance Measure

1.2.3 Develop technologies to enable sustainable commercial production of bioenergy feedstocks and other biofuels. Performance Targets 2.3.A Enable New Varieties and Hybrids of Bioenergy Feedstocks with Optimal Traits. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 ARS will characterize 2 By 2017, ARS will important feedstock traits, characterize 10 important make progress on one feedstock traits, create enhanced germplasm pool, three enhanced germplasm and establish one pools, and establish five significant public-private significant public-private partnership for advancing partnerships for advancing feedstock variety feedstock variety improvement. improvement. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 25 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.3.B Enable New Optimal Practices and Systems that Maximize the Sustainable Yield of High-Quality Bioenergy Feedstocks. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 ARS will incorporate at By 2017, ARS will least one new technology incorporate six new that enables production of technologies and introduce biomass and will contribute three new region-based to the introduction of a systems that enable the new region-based system. production of biomass feedstocks to help achieve U.S. goals for meeting legislated mandates for blending biofuels. We will provide 10 science-based practices suitable for developing NRCS conservation plans. 2.3.C Enable New, Commercially Preferred Biorefining Technologies. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 ARS will commercialize one By 2017, industry will biorefining and /or co- commercialize five products technology which biorefining and/or co- was enabled by ARS products technologies research. which were enabled by ARS research. Strategies and Means • Determine the biological and molecular basis of desirable traits in bioenergy feedstock crops. • Expand the utility of genomic resources for breeding superior bioenergy crops. • Form private and public partnerships to enable accelerated adoption of improved germplasm with traits needed to increase biofuel supply chain profitability. • Develop methods for rapidly assessing and monitoring the sustainability of rapidly expanding planted acres of dedicated biomass feedstock crops. • Identify optimal strategies for incorporating herbaceous biomass crops into existing eastern U.S. agriculture systems with minimal disruption to existing markets and ecosystem services. • Develop strategies for incorporating oil-producing crops into western U.S. regions with limited water availability for conventional agricultural production. • Enable the collection of accurate information at different levels of scale to help plan for future bioenergy production needs in ways that maintain the integrity of U.S. agriculture. These needs require both greater STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 26 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 production from each acre of land used and new kinds of production systems for the next generations of feedstocks that compliment food, feed, and fiber production. • Enable the use of conversion co-products from agricultural-based energy production to reduce the need for purchased inputs for crop production systems. • Develop new and improved, marketable biorefinery co-products. • Develop cost-effective technologies for converting lignocellulosic feedstocks into marketable biofuels. • Develop new and improved processes for biocatalytic conversion of starches and sugars into marketable biofuels. • Enable on-farm production of heat and/or power. • Enable commercially viable thermochemical processes for producing liquid fuels from agricultural feedstocks and develop guidelines for managing biomass feedstocks utilized in thermochemical processing. • Increase feedstock (fatty acid) availability for biodiesel production, develop new and improved biodiesel production processes, improve the inherent performance of fatty acid esters as fuels, and enable the development of biodiesel fuel quality assurance methods. • Develop tools to estimate biorefining process costs, including externalized costs. • Develop database and IT support and resources to integrate feedstock development, production, and biorefining research, data access, analysis, and technology transfer in ARS and with public and private sector partners. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 27 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 GOAL 2.4 – EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY MANAGE AND USE MANURE AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS IN WAYS THAT MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL BENEFITS WHILE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH. (AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS - 214) Improvements are needed in animal feeding and management regimens in order to increase the proportion of dietary nutrients retained in the animal or animal products while decreasing the quantity of dietary nutrients excreted and lost to the environment. Basic research is needed to evaluate the fate and transport of manure nutrients in the major soil-crop systems common to animal agriculture. This is the foundation for developing Best Management Practices (BMP). Application methods are needed that can improve nutrient use efficiency and incorporate manure to conserve N while maintaining adequate crop residue to protect the soil from erosion and runoff. These practices, and their associated nutrient management plans, must be based on sound understanding of the fate and transport of specific nutrients for major soils, hydrologic conditions, and cropping systems. Information is needed on pathogen inactivation and die-off as well as their potential for regrowth as functions of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, etc.) during all stages of waste management. Technologically sound methods are needed for utilizing byproducts that will be characterized as beneficial and can result in products that are commercially sustainable. This includes blending, composting, and amending byproducts as well as developing land application and management techniques that will improve soil, water, and air quality in addition to improved plant growth. In addition, improved formulations of agriculture byproducts feed stock for use in industrial as well as agricultural applications are needed. Performance Measure

2.2.4 Effectively and safely manage and use manure and other agricultural and industrial byproducts in ways that maximize their potential benefits while protecting the environment and human and animal health. Performance Targets 2.4.A Increase Utilization of Manure Nutrients and Resources. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Data of the effectiveness of Manure current practices. treatment/handling systems and management strategies for maximizing effective nutrient utilization and environmental stewardship objectives. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 28 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.4.B Reduce Manure Pathogens and Pharmaceutically Active Compounds (PACs). Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Data on environmental fate Animal production and transport of pathogens strategies for reducing and PACs. excretion of pathogens and PACS. Manure treatment/utilization systems minimizing introduction of pathogens and PACs into the environment. 2.4.C Reduce Atmospheric Emissions from Animal Production Facilities. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Initial datasets of emissions Manure from animal production treatment/handling operations and facilities. systems and animal production/management strategies for minimizing emissions. 2.4.D Develop Beneficial Uses of Agricultural, Industrial, and Municipal Byproducts. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Reuse of some materials Ten new economical and and disposal of the environmentally beneficial majority products created from materials previously considered to be wastes. Examples include new fuels, structural materials, and soil amendments. Strategies and Means • Improve the Usability of Manure Nutrients through More Effective Animal Nutrition and Management. • Maximize the Value of Manure through Improved Collection, Storage, and Treatment Options. • Utilize Manure in Integrated Farming Systems to Improve Profitability and Protect Soil, Water, and Air Quality • Use Manure and Other Agricultural Byproducts as a Renewable Energy Resource. • Identify Factors that Control the Fate and Transport of Pathogens from Animal Agriculture. • Minimize the Release of Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Hormones. • Reduce Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Agricultural Manures and Wastes. • Minimize Risk with Best Management Practices and Treatment Technologies. • Quantify the Extent of Agricultural Emissions of Air Pollutants. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 29 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 • Characterize the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Processes Essential for the Development and Evaluation of Emissions Models. • Develop and Test Technologies and Improved Management Practices to Reduce Emissions. • Enhance the Value of Agricultural, Industrial, and Municipal Byproducts by Developing Beneficial Uses. • Quantify the Risks and Benefits of Using Byproducts in Agriculture and Horticulture. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 30 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 GOAL 2.5 - DEVELOP AND TRANSFER ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES, TECHNOLOGIES, PLANT MATERIALS AND INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES, BASED ON FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES, THAT CONSERVE AND ENHANCE THE NATION'S DIVERSE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUND ON ITS RANGE, PASTURE, HAY AND TURF LANDS. (RANGELAND, PASTURE & FORAGES – 215) This program develops and integrates improved management practices, germplasm, and land-use strategies to optimize productivity, economic viability and environmental enhancement in managing vegetation, livestock and natural resources on private and public grass and forage lands. Research activities include: enhancing conservation and restoration of ecosystems and agro ecosystems through improvements based on the application of ecological principles; improving management of fire, invasive weeds, grazing, climate change and other agents of change; developing grazing-based livestock systems that reduce risk and increase profitability in existing and emerging markets; developing improved grass and forage legume germplasm for livestock, conservation, turf and bioenergy and bioproduct systems; improving the sustainability of turf management; and improving decision-support systems including improving inventory, monitoring, and assessment tools. Performance Measure

2.2.5 Develop and transfer economically viable and environmentally sustainable production and conservation practices, technologies, plant materials and integrated management strategies, based on fundamental knowledge of ecological processes, that conserve and enhance the Nation's diverse natural resources found on its range, pasture, hay and turf lands. Performance Targets 2.5.A Develop Practices and Technologies to Improve Rangeland Productivity and Ecological Services. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 3 practices and technologies that improve livestock production and Cumulatively, 15rangeland the effectiveness of practices and technologies conservation and developed and released to restoration including ARS customers reducing the risk of wildfires, invasive weeds and climatic uncertainty to improve profitability and enhance ecological services STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 31 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.5.B Develop Practices and Technologies to Improve Pasture Productivity and Ecological Services. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 2 practices and technologies that improve livestock production and Cumulatively, 10 pasture the effectiveness of practices and technologies conservation on pasture developed and released to lands including reducing ARS customers the risk of climatic uncertainty and enhancing water resources and other ecosystems services 2.5.C Developed Sustainable Harvested Forage Systems for Livestock, Bioenergy and Bioproducts. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 2 practices and technologies that improve harvested forage Cumulatively, 10 pasture production for livestock practices and technologies and bioenergy while developed and released to reducing the risk of climatic ARS customers uncertainty and enhancing water resources and other ecosystems services 2.5.D Develop Improved Germplasm and Management Practices for Sustainable Turf Systems. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 1 improved germplasm Cumulatively, 5 improved that enhances turf germplasm releases or management including improved management improving the environment practices developed and and reducing the risk of released to ARS customers climatic uncertainty Strategies and Means • Develop rangeland livestock grazing systems that can meet producer, land manager, and global food security objectives while being adaptable to changing environmental and climatic conditions. • Develop management strategies and practices that enhance and conserve rangeland ecosystems to provide multiple ecosystem services under changing environmental and climatic conditions. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 32 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 • Develop science-based understanding of how soils, plants, animals, climate and human activities interact to affect rangeland ecosystem structure and function at multiple scales over time to improve the effectiveness of land management under changing conditions. • Develop pasture-based livestock production systems that can meet producer, environmental, and global food security objectives while being adaptable to changing environmental and climatic conditions. • Develop management strategies and practices that enhance and conserve pasture agroecosystems to provide multiple ecosystem services under changing environmental and climatic conditions. • Develop science-based understanding of how soils, plants, animals, climate and human activities interact to affect pasture agroecosystem structure and function at multiple scales over time to improve the effectiveness of land management under changing conditions. • Develop improved plant materials for harvested forage and biomass production systems that will increase the efficiency of livestock and bioenergy production systems while enhancing the environment. • Develop improved harvested forage and biomass production systems that increase economic and energy efficiency while enhancing the environment to meet national energy and food security goals. • Develop improved turf germplasm and management practices that meet the objectives of turf producers and users under changing climatic and environmental conditions. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 33 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 GOAL 2.6 – DEVELOP INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE CHALLENGES RELATED TO AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND NATURAL RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP. (AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS & SUSTAINABILITY – NP 216) Profitable farms are the basis of vibrant rural economies. Consumers benefit from agricultural production that provides abundant choices of products at relatively low costs. Even though commodity prices are now high, many farms still have difficulty responding to changing market conditions, and the high costs of fuel and other purchased inputs. In addition, there is increasing competition from overseas markets where production costs are comparatively low. At the same time, continued advancement of conservation goals is needed to enhance the natural resource base upon which the nation not only depends for food, feed, fiber, and renewable energy, but also for supplies of fresh water, clean air, and healthy ecosystems. The challenges producers face regarding productivity, profitability, and natural resource stewardship are complex, so the solutions to these challenges will not be simple. Producers and natural resource managers need holistic solutions to the complex problems they face. Not only do they need to decide what the best production methods, improved varieties, and advanced technologies to use, they want to know how these innovations can be best incorporated into their operations and whether their investment will increase their ability to compete in the market. Though many of the problems producers face are the same across the country, it is accepted that each region and every farm is different, so there are no “one- size-fits-all” solutions. These challenges are not unique to the United States. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (GAO) addressed similar issues in their Strategic Framework 2010-2019 (ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/meeting/017/k5864e01.pdf). Strategic Objective A – Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production – seeks to increase production per unit land area to meet world food needs and “requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices aimed at increasing crop productivity in a sustainable manner, thereby meeting key millennium development goals aimed at reducing hunger and preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.” Interdisciplinary systems research provides an approach to understand how different kinds of farm enterprises function, and how changing or introducing new technology will affect their productivity, profitability, energy efficiency, and natural resource stewardship. Finding the best combinations of practices will help producers achieve their production goals, while enhancing the environmental goods and services derived from agricultural lands. Diverse and dynamic agricultural systems are needed that can adjust to changing environmental and market conditions to increase the long-term financial viability and competitiveness of farms, enhance natural resource quality, contribute to the vibrancy of rural communities, and increase the food, fiber, and energy security for the Nation and the world. This research will contribute to making sustainable intensification of agriculture a reality. Performance Measure

1.2.6 Develop integrated solutions to solve challenges related to agricultural system productivity, profitability, energy efficiency, and natural resource stewardship. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 34 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 Performance Targets 2.6.A Develop new strategies and technologies to reduce production costs and risks of economic losses for agronomic and bioenergy crop production systems. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Description of baseline Identify five new region- systems for regional specific agronomic crop agronomic crop production production system systems. configurations that utilize on-farm resources and natural ecosystem processes to reduce the need for purchased inputs and reduce whole-system costs and risks. 2.6.B Develop new specialty crop management strategies to reduce production costs but have neutral or positive impacts on yield, product quality, and risk of economic loss. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Description of baseline Identify four new region- condition for region- specific production system specific specialty crop configurations for new production systems. crops that utilize on-farm resources and natural ecosystem processes to reduce the need for purchased inputs and reduce whole-system costs and risks. 2.6.C Develop new strategies that integrate crop and livestock production elements to reduce risks of economic loss, diversify income, and enhance environmental benefits. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Description of baseline Identify two enhanced conditions for integrated region-specific system crop-livestock production configurations that take systems. advantage of the complimentary benefits of combining crop and livestock production enterprises to reduce the need for purchased inputs and reduce whole-system costs and risks. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 35 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 2 2.6.D Develop and integrate technology and decision support tools to increase production system efficiency. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Single natural resource and Natural resource plant growth assessment assessment and plant models calibrated for local growth models applied to conditions. regional crop production systems and integration of economic factors. Strategies and Means • Develop economic risk averting management strategies that improve soil productivity, enhance soil and water conservation and nutrient cycling, and reduce fuel and pesticide use while enhancing the natural resource base. • Identify optimal regional strategies to incorporate bio-based energy production without disrupting agricultural diversity and compromising natural resource quality. • Develop on-farm production systems to replace purchased fuel and energy. • Develop ecological-based pest management strategies that enhance yields and market quality, while reducing the need for pesticides. • Develop production systems that meet new market opportunities and improve producer profitability and competitiveness. • Identify the most appropriate methods for delivering new information and technologies to promote adoption by customers and stakeholders. • Develop a set of management principles that are common to agricultural systems across production regions that reduce risks, improve competitiveness, and promote environmental stewardship. • Improve production efficiencies through precision management, automation, and decision support technologies that reduce agricultural chemical and irrigation water use. • Develop an approach to assess the economic and environmental impacts of agriculture across broad landscapes. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 36 Strategic Goal Area 3: Crop Production and Protection Research conducted by ARS’s Crop Production and Protection Program (CPP) National Programs will deliver science-based information and technologies to meet • Producers’ needs for increased crop productivity and quality, protection from diseases and pests, and economically and environmentally sustainable methods of crop production; • Consumers’ demands for a ready supply of high quality, safe, affordable and nutritious food; • Worker’s needs for a safe working environment; • The public’s desire to protect the environment; and • The global community’s needs for food security. To meet these needs, ARS will conduct research that addresses the national priorities of genetic resource conservation, genomics, and genetic improvement; prevention and treatment of plant diseases; identification and management of arthropod and weed pests, including quarantine pests; improved crop management strategies; and the development of methyl bromide alternatives. The research of the Crop Production and Protection National Programs is well integrated with other ARS research in Animal Protection and Production; Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems; and Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality. Through the National Invasive Species Information Center and Alternative Farming Systems Center of the National Agricultural Library, key information will be disseminated to agricultural producers, the research and education community, and the general public. GOAL 3.1 – PROTECT, EXPAND, AND ENHANCE THE UNITED STATES’ CROP GENETIC RESOURCE BASE, INCREASE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF CROP GENES, GENOMES, BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS, AND DELIVER ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES THAT IMPROVE THE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY, QUALITY, HEALTH AND VALUE OF THE NATION’S CROPS. (PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES, GENOMICS, AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT – NP 301 & 305). Crop Improvement U.S. crop production depends on new and improved varieties of crops—developed faster and for less cost—that are competitive in the market, increasingly tailored to meet the complex demands for food, feed, fiber, ornamentals, and energy; and adapted to an increasingly challenging global climate. To do so, ARS research will harness the inherent genetic potential of plants. This research will develop, and effectively apply, new knowledge of crop genes, genomes, and the control and expression of genes, to accelerate productivity and improve the quality of crops; realized via traditional and novel plant breeding methods. Genetic resources are the foundation of our agricultural future. ARS crop gene banks contain the sources of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and new genes to improve the quantity and quality of food, feed, energy, fiber, and ornamental crops. To ensure that these genes are available for research and breeding, ARS will continue to acquire and conserve crop genetic resources, develop more effective screening methods for identifying superior traits, characterize the genetic profiles of gene bank holdings, ensure that genetic resources are distributed where and when they are needed, and safeguard these collections and their associated information for future generations. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 37 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 New ARS genetic technologies will address the specific needs for higher crop yields; more durable and effective tolerance to abiotic stresses including drought, heat, cold, freezing, and flooding; more efficient crop use of key inputs such as water and nutrients; more durable and effective pest and disease resistance; control of flowering time; enhanced product composition and nutritional quality; value-added traits; and conversion efficiency to biofuels. ARS research will elucidate how crop traits are controlled by underlying genetic systems, how these traits are affected by environmental factors during crop production, and how to enhance traits by incorporating novel sources of genetic variation from underexploited genetic resources or by genetically-engineering such traits. ARS will devise new crop genetic improvement methods that incorporate advances in genome sequencing and analysis, molecular genetics, computational biology, and metabolic engineering. New crop breeding theories and strategies will be developed to more effectively capture the intrinsic genetic potential of germplasm— especially to improve key agronomic and horticultural traits—resulting in crops tailored for consumer and producer needs. ARS will continue to lead the development of crop genetic and genomic information management and database systems that broadly support and enhance crop research, from germplasm improvement and breeding to genetic and genomic analyses. New tools will be generated to efficiently incorporate valuable new data into databases, extract key information from the massive quantity of data safeguarded in those databases, identify the important properties of genes, apply that knowledge to crop improvement, and build on genetic advances in one crop so as to accelerate genetic gains in others. Crop Production The Nation’s economic vitality depends on the ability of U.S. crop producers to grow and market food, fiber, ornamentals, industrial products, feed, and fuels profitably; while enhancing the natural resource base on which crop production depends. Future economic success for U.S. producers depends on increased productivity, access to new markets for specialized products, new technologies that generate new opportunities for U.S. farmers, and new tools and information to mitigate risks and enable rapid adjustments to changing market conditions. The agricultural sector is challenged by a wide variety of resource, climatic, economic, and social factors that require an equally diverse array of strategies and solutions for successfully meeting those challenges. Contemporary U.S. crop enterprises for annual, perennial, and greenhouse crop production are complex and depend on access to and successful integration of highly diverse components, such as a steady stream of superior crop varieties, new strategies for mitigation of crop losses from biotic and abiotic stresses, and mechanization and automation of undesirable or labor intensive activities. The development of successful new production systems to sustain or increase crop yield and quality requires focusing on 1) productive and profitable crop management strategies for new and traditional crops that conserve natural resources; 2) efficient and effective integrated management strategies for multiple pests; 3) mechanization of management activities to address labor constraints; and 4) improved crop management models and decision aids. Pollination is a critical element in agriculture as well, because honey bees pollinate more than 130 crops in the United States and add $15 billion in crop value annually. Declining honeybee populations and honey production due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) require special attention. CCD has now increased honey bee mortality to more than 30 percent. Also, as new crops are introduced and stresses on honeybees increase, pollinators will be continuously required for specific crops or protected environments. Improved production systems must address the needs of small, intermediate, and large field-, greenhouse-, orchard-, and vineyard-based farming enterprises for more efficient conventional, organic, and controlled- environment production methods and strategies. New crop production technologies must increase production efficiency, conserve energy and natural resources, and provide resilience in the face of abiotic and biotic stresses; while maintaining or enhancing productivity and product quality. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 38 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 Key Outcome: New technologies (such as superior crop varieties; enhanced breeding stock; more effective crop and pest management strategies; improved sensors, robotics, and spray application equipment; improved decision support systems; more efficient production systems) and information that sustain U. S. crop production and enable producers to compete more effectively in the global market place. The U. S.’s national capacity to exploit the genetic potential of crops efficiently and effectively is maintained, and U.S. crop productivity and efficiency are enhanced. Performance Measure

1.3.1 Develop knowledge, strategies, systems and technologies that maximize the production efficiency of our annual, perennial, greenhouse and nursery cropping systems. Develop new technologies and tools contributing to improving these systems to meet current and future food crop production needs of diversified consumers, while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability and production efficiency, health, and value of our nation’s crops. Performance Targets 3.1.A Develop and Maintain Superior Crop Genetic Resources, Crop Production Systems, and Technologies to Harness Crops’ Genetic Potential and Optimize Productivity and Profitability of U.S. Crop Production. The Preceding Will Underpin a Safe, Affordable Supply of Nutritious Foods for the U.S. and Other Nations, Protect the Environment, and Contribute Strongly to Global Market Competitiveness of U.S. Agriculture. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Ten new technologies are Fifty new technologies are developed by ARS and used developed by ARS and used by ARS customers, leading by ARS customers, leading to increased production to increased production efficiency and enhanced efficiency and enhanced economic value and quality economic value and quality of U.S. crop production, of U.S. crop production, while reducing any while reducing any negative environmental negative environmental impact. impact. Strategies and Means • Efficiently and effectively manage plant and microbial genetic resources. • Assess the systematic relationships and genetic diversity of crop genetic resources. • Develop and maintain genome databases and informatics tools. • Compare and analyze crop genes and genomes. • Genetically analyze important crop traits and map and identify underlying genes. • Develop genetic theory and methods of crop improvement. • Capitalize on untapped genetic diversity. • Enhance/release improved genetic resources and varieties. • Incorporate information about plant genomes and plant genomic analytical approaches into crop research. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 39 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 • Translate plant genomics into crop improvement programs and accelerate genetic gain. • Determine biological processes that improve crop productivity and quality. • Generate data and new technologies addressing plant biotechnology risk assessment. • Improve understanding of the effects of management practices on crop productivity and quality. • Develop integrated strategies for managing pests, soil, water, nutrient, and environmental factors for optimal yield, quality, and economic returns. • Develop sensors, mechanization, and automation technologies that increase production efficiency. • Develop technologies and information that enable agricultural input applicators to appropriately apply and deliver pesticides to target pests and pathogens and comply with safety and regulatory requirements. • Integrate crop cultivars, management strategies for abiotic and biotic stresses, and mechanization technologies into improved, productive, profitable, and environmentally acceptable crop production systems. • Develop decision support systems to optimize the efficiency of crop production systems. • Improve bee health, which will in turn increase honey production and effectiveness of crop pollination. • Protect pollinator biodiversity needed for conserving and restoring U.S. landscapes. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 40 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 GOAL 3.2 – PROTECT OUR NATION’S CROPS (PLANT DISEASES, CROP PROTECTION & QUARANTINE, AND METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES – NP 303, 304 & 308) Introduction and Background to Crop Protection: Economic losses of agricultural crops and natural ecosystems due to arthropods, plant pathogens, nematodes and weeds are considerable, with estimates in the tens of billions of dollars each year to agriculture, landscapes, and forests in the United States. Losses are due to reduced yields, lower product quality or shelf-life, decreased aesthetic or nutritional value, and food and feed contaminated with toxic compounds. Pest management strategies include cultural, biological, physical, and chemical methods. Non-chemical methods based on biological knowledge continue to expand, but the United States continues to depend heavily on chemical control to produce agricultural commodities. For instance, in 2007 over 850 million pounds of pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides) were applied to agricultural crops in the United States to protect these commodities from pests and pathogens (Pesticides and Industry Sales and Usage; 2007 and 2007 Market Estimates, EPA). Maintenance of our arsenal of valuable management strategies is a constant challenge, as inherent disease and pest resistance in crops declines while pests become resistant to chemical controls, new pest problems emerge, new regulatory requirements are enacted, and production costs increase with rising energy costs. Further, the problem of losses due to pests and plant diseases does not end in the field or with the harvest. Insects and diseases reduce the quality of stored grain and other stored products, and it is estimated that post-harvest losses to corn and wheat alone amount to as much as $2.5 billion annually. Pests and diseases can also impede foreign trade. Imported commodities as well as those destined for export must be protected from endemic and exotic pests. Exotic insect, disease, and weed pests that threaten our food, fiber, and natural ecosystems are another mounting concern, as world trade and travel continues to expand. Invasive species such as the brown marmorated stinkbug and the Asian soybean rust directly threaten our agricultural crops, while other invasive insects transmit devastating viral and bacterial diseases, like citrus greening, that threaten entire agricultural industries. Still other invasive insects such as the Asian longhorned beetle and the sudden oak death pathogen decimate our forests and urban landscapes, while invasive weeds reduce biodiversity, displace native species, and cost billions of dollars to control annually. Management of arthropod pests, plant diseases, and weeds is essential for providing an adequate supply of food, feed, fiber, and ornamental crops, but effective control depends on understanding the biology and ecology of these deleterious organisms as well as beneficial ones. The Action Plan Guides Strategic Plan Development: • Plant Pathogens and Nematodes: Numerous, diverse approaches are needed to protect our crops from arthropods, plant pathogens, nematodes and weeds. To manage plant pathogens and nematodes, ARS will: 1) develop and improve rapid and reliable methods for detection and identification of plant pathogens and nematodes.; 2) enhance knowledge of the etiology of plant diseases and systematics of their pathogens; 3) provide in-depth knowledge of the biology, ecology, and epidemiology of plant pathogens and their interactions with hosts and vectors to identify targets for new disease management strategies; 4) develop and deploy host resistance against plant diseases and nematodes, and 5) develop biologically-based and integrated disease management strategies. • Weeds: To reduce the impact of weeds on the nation’s agricultural and natural systems, ARS will 1) develop novel weed management solutions to control the reproduction and spread of invasive and weedy plants— based on new knowledge derived from plant genomics, biochemistry, and physiology; 2) expand integrated weed management programs by incorporating newly identified natural products or natural enemies, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and insects; 3) determine the mechanisms of herbicide resistance in weeds and enhance knowledge of the biology, physiology, and ecology of weeds, so as to develop cropping system methods that mitigate herbicide resistance development and spread; 4) develop spatial models to monitor and control invasive plants in complex landscapes; 5) develop recommendations for restoring STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 41 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 natural systems in ways that prevent weed invasions following effective biological control; and 6) identify effective weed management solutions for reduced tillage, low herbicide input, and organic production systems. • Arthropods: To ensure the cost effective management and control of native and invasive arthropod plant pests, ARS will 1) develop new bioinformatic tools that enhance insect species identification; 2) identify genetic, biological, and ecological determinants of plant insect pests that can be manipulated to improve their control; 3) determine critical factors involved in disease transmission by insects; 4) improve insect monitoring and capturing methodologies by identifying, synthesizing, and field-testing semiochemicals, 5) develop new biological, chemical, and cultural methodologies to control plant insect pests, 6) improve or develop sterile insect technique technologies to eradicate insect pests; and 7) develop systems for rearing natural enemies that have been demonstrated to be effective and safe biological control agents. Key Outcomes: The key outcomes of this research will be the knowledge and improved capacity needed to protect plants in agricultural and natural systems –including the safe production and trade of food, feed, fiber, ornamentals, industrial products, and biofuels. This research and the transfer of resulting technologies will provide globally competitive and sustainable agricultural systems, safe and nutritious food, and healthy landscapes. Performance Measure

4.3.2 Provide scientific information to increase our knowledge of plant genes, genomes and biological and molecular processes to protect crops and cropping systems from the negative effects of pests and infectious diseases. Develop sustainable control strategies for crop pests and pathogens based on fundamental and applied research that are effective and affordable, while maintaining food safety and environmental quality. Performance Target 3.2.A Develop sustainable control strategies for crop pests and pathogens based on fundamental and applied research that are effective and affordable, while maintaining food safety and environmental quality. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Technologies produced by At least 30 new or ARS were transferred to improved technologies growers and producers, produced by ARS will be action agencies, the transferred to growers and research community, and producers, action agencies, exporters and importers of the research community, agronomic products to and exporters and exclude, eradicate and/or importers of agronomic better manage disease and products to exclude, pest outbreaks as they eradicate and/or better occur in the United States manage disease and pest or prior to their arrival on outbreaks as they occur in our shores. the United States or prior to their arrival on our shores. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 42 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 3 Strategies and Means • Develop and improve diagnostics and systematics for plant pathogens and nematodes, and systematics of arthropods, and weeds • Expand our knowledge of fundamental biology and ecology of arthropods, plant pathogens, nematodes and weeds; and pathogenesis of plant diseases • Develop and deploy plant resistance to effectively manage pests and diseases • Develop and implement biologically-based and integrated management strategies of pests and diseases • Develop new technologies for alternatives to Methyl Bromide and integrate into productive and profitable cropping systems • Develop pest management systems to optimize efficacy of pesticides and reduce harmful emissions • Identify and mitigate emerging pest problems • Develop alternatives to Methyl Bromide for disinfestation of post-harvest food processing facilities, and durable and perishable commodities • Develop detection, identification, monitoring, and management technologies for quarantine pests and pathogens • Increase understanding of disease and pest etiologies to effectively interrupt critical points in life cycle. • Develop and deploy trapping methods for new and endemic pests and pathogens. • Identify and develop new molecular targets related to host preference, virulent and pest mitigation. • Develop natural products and strategies to reduce pesticide use for sustainable cropping, horticultural and organic systems. • Improve monitoring and restoration management approaches in natural ecosystems. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 43 Strategic Goal Area 4: Animal Production and Protection Strategic Goal 1: Assist Rural Communities to Create Prosperity So They Are Self-Sustaining, Repopulating, and Economically Thriving The mission of the ARS Animal Production and Protection (APP) national programs is to provide the scientific information and tools to help support the U.S. food animal industries to continue to compete successfully in worldwide trade, provide the supply of nutritional animal products required by the Nation, and contribute toward global food security. APP will accomplish this mission by maximizing production efficiency and animal health through scientific innovation and the discovery and development of new technologies focused on national priorities. Strategic public-private partnerships will be established to achieve our mission, including support of government action and regulatory agencies responsible for trade, biodefense, and global food security. Emphasis will be given to genetic improvements of traits related to production and production efficiencies and germplasm conservation; understanding the mechanisms of disease resistance, and the development of tools to prevent, control, or eradicate diseases that threaten our food supply and public health; and identifying and developing sustainable systems for production of high quality meat, fish, milk, and eggs that also ensure animal health and well-being. The portion of the program that produces new solutions to the many veterinary problems created by arthropod pests and vectors will be leveraged to solve related problems affecting human health and the well-being of American citizens. GOAL 4.1 – PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT WILL ENSURE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF COMPETITIVELY PRICED ANIMAL AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS: (ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND AQUACULTURE - NP 101 & 106) U.S. production systems for food animals and aquaculture face formidable challenges. One of the most exacting challenges is successful adaptation to the accelerating demands of society that impact animal productivity and product quality, including increased production, improved production efficiencies, economic and environmental sustainability, ensuring animal well-being and improved product quality and healthfulness for consumers. The demands placed on the national system of food animal production by a rapidly changing world can only be met by technologies that optimally harness the inherent genetic potential of animal germplasm in concert with industry stakeholders. Production systems that successfully harness that genetic potential will maximize profits, secure supply, increase market competitiveness, sustain small and mid-sized producers, maintain genetic diversity and increase consumer confidence. These optimized production systems will also ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of animal agriculture while enabling production of animal products adequate to meet the dramatically increased demand for animal products worldwide. Consequently, the overall mission of ARS animal production and aquaculture systems is to 1) safeguard and utilize animal and microbial genetic resources, associated genetic and genomic databases, and develop robust bioinformatics tools; 2) develop a basic understanding of the physiology of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture; 3) develop improved understanding of nutritional requirements for animals, particularly in aquaculture and improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization for animals; and 4) develop information, tools, and technologies that can be used to improve animal production systems, all to ensure an abundant, safe, and inexpensive supply of animal products produced in a healthy, competitive, and sustainable animal agriculture sector of the U.S. economy. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 44 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 4 Performance Measure

1.4.1 Provide scientific information to maximize the production efficiency of our food animal production systems. Develop new technologies and tools contributing to improve those systems to meet current and future food animal production needs of diversified consumers, while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability and animal well-being. Performance Targets 4.1.A Provide scientific information to maximize the production efficiency of our food animal production systems. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Seven research studies on Cumulatively, 35 new production efficiency scientific papers will be published in peer-reviewed published in this area of scientific journals that research. contribute evidence to improve food animal production systems. 4.1.B Develop new technologies and tools contributing to improved precision animal production systems to meet current and future food animal production needs of diversified consumers, while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability and animal well-being. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 One new technologies Cumulatively, five new developed and used by ARS technologies developed customers to increase and used by ARS customers production efficiency and enhance the economic value and well-being of U.S. food animal production while decreasing the environmental footprint of production systems. Strategies and Means • Develop genome analysis tools and reagents to enable better utilization of agricultural animal and microbial genomes and enhance genetic improvement programs • Identify economically important genetic traits, their interactions and correlations for application in genetic evaluation programs • Preserve and curate agricultural animal genetic resources • Identify criteria needed to ensure animal well-being and reduce stress in agricultural animal production systems STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 45 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 4 • Improve efficiency of nutrient utilization and conversion of feeds and forages to animal products • Understand the relationship between nutrition and animal health/immunity • Enhance reproductive performance and reduce reproductive losses in agricultural animals • Improve the quality and healthfulness of food animal products • Develop systems for measuring and reducing variation in product quality and yield • Characterize safety and quality of products from non-conventional production systems • Improve aquaculture production systems, recirculation technologies, flow-through and pond production systems • Develop shellfish systems to maximize productivity and environmental benefits of filter feeders • Determine nutrient requirements for various aquaculture species • Evaluate the nutritional value, and develop alternative ingredients as sources of protein and lipid for aquatic animal diets • Develop new uses for fish co-products STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 46 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 4 GOAL 4.2 - PREVENT AND CONTROL PESTS AND ANIMAL DISEASES THAT POSE A THREAT TO AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICAN CITIZENS (ANIMAL HEALTH, VETERINARY, MEDICAL & URBAN ENTOMOLOGY, AND AQUACULTURE NP – 103, 104 & 106) Investments in animal protection research are critical to the growth and resilience of the supply of food for tomorrow and feed the future initiatives. Enhancing the health of animals in agricultural production systems will directly impact food quality and ensure a sufficient supply of macro and micro-nutrients to meet people’s basic needs worldwide. When combined with other investments in agricultural development, research-based innovations will address some of the fundamental constraints that give rise to food insecurity by reducing production risks associated with pests and diseases. Achieving results in animal protection research in the 21st century will demand a systems biology ‖ approach in which knowledge obtained from animal genomes, functional genomics, clinical trials, and epidemiology are integrated in the discovery and development of countermeasures for preventing and controlling disease outbreaks. Entomological research will concentrate on priority problems affecting animal production, human health, and the well-being of American animals and citizens. The research aims to dedicate 30% of resources to basic research that provides relevant information about target pests and 70% to applied research and product development. The program seeks to attain a balance of skills among its scientists so that it can take full advantage of the latest developments in biology at the same time as applying its efforts to solution of practical problems. Accordingly, the goal of the ARS animal protection research programs is to protect and ensure the safety of the Nation’s agriculture and food supply through improved disease detection, prevention, control, and treatment. Basic and applied research approaches will be applied to solve animal health problems of high national priority. Emphasis will be given to methods and procedures to control animal diseases through the discovery and development of: • Diagnostics and tools for identification of pests/vectors • Vaccines • Biotherapeutics • Pesticides, repellents, attractants, traps, and other innovative products for pest/vector control • Animal, pest, and vector genomics applications • Disease management systems and integrated pest/vector management systems • Animal disease models • Farm biosecurity measures • Applications of global information systems • Chemical ecology of pests and vectors Animal protection national programs have eight strategic objectives: 1. Develop an integrated animal, arthropod, and microbial genomics research program 2. Launch research programs to provide alternatives to antibiotics in food animal production 3. Build a technology-driven vaccine and diagnostic discovery research program 4. Develop core competencies in field epidemiology and predictive biology 5. Develop expert collaborative research laboratories recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 47 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 4 6. Develop a model technology transfer program to achieve the full impact of our research discoveries 7. Perform the full spectrum of research for improvement of veterinary, public, and military entomology 8. Develop safe and effective methods for prevention of damage caused by arthropods to homes and households Performance Measure

4.4.2 Provide scientific information to protect animals, humans, and property from the negative effects of pests and infectious diseases. Develop and transfer tools to the agricultural community, commercial partners, and government agencies to control or eradicate domestic and exotic diseases and pests that affect animal and human health. Performance Targets 4.2.A Provide scientific information to protect animals, humans, and property from the negative effects of pests and infectious diseases. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Seven research studies that had significant impact on the scientific community Cumulatively, 35 new and/or will lead to new scientific papers will be technologies for protection published in this area of of humans, property, and research. livestock from harm due to pests or diseases. 4.2.B Develop and transfer tools to the agricultural community, commercial partners, and government agencies to control or eradicate domestic and exotic diseases and pests that affect animal and human health. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 One technology used by the commercial and/or Cumulatively, transfer five government sectors technologies to the relevant to the protection commercial and/or of humans, property, and government sectors. domestic animals. Strategies and Means • Identify genes involved in animals with disease-resistant/susceptibility phenotypes • Improve our understanding of pathogenesis, transmission, and immune responses to enable the development of measures to prevent, control, and eradicate animal diseases • Understand how poly-microbial infections affect disease resistance • Analyze microbial genomes to better understand host-pathogen interactions • Improve our understanding of prions and other misfolding protein diseases • Develop new vaccines to prevent disease in aquaculture species • Develop new strategies to control oncogenic diseases of poultry • Create new tools to control highly infectious diseases of livestock, poultry, and aquatic species STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 48 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 4 • Improve understanding of using diagnostics and vaccines in disease control programs • Increase our capability to understand and predict emerging disease threats • Identify effective disinfectants and validate their use to decontaminate containment areas and equipment • Develop new methods to minimize tick bites experienced by people near their homes and farms. • Improve the control of flies that are mechanical and biological vectors of pathogens • Find new toxicants and attractants for bed bugs • Invent and develop new kinds of insecticides for public health applications • Improve personal protection methods for deployed military personnel • Evaluate and develop application equipment for use in application of public health pesticides • Identify measures to restrict the cattle fever tick to its defined quarantine zone • Develop methods to control stable flies, horn flies, and house flies and their impact on livestock • Support the screwworm eradication program by developing methods that improve efficiency of rearing and distribution of sterile male screwworm flies • Develop effective methods for control of the sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis that are a threat to deployed military personnel • Improve integrated pest management of biting midges that are vectors of important animal pathogens such as blue tongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease • Evaluate the risk and develop control methods for U.S vectors of Rift Valley fever and other potentially invasive veterinary pathogens Strategic Goal 1: Assist Rural Communities to Create Prosperity So They Are Self-Sustaining, Repopulating, and STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 49 Strategic Goal Area 5: Equal Employment Opportunity GOAL 5.1 - DEVELOP A MODEL EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A DIVERSIFIED WORKPLACE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, OR RETALIATION, AND CHARACTERIZED BY AN ATMOSPHERE OF INCLUSION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. Performance Measure

2.5.1 Implement a Civil Rights Program that is fully compliant with all Civil Rights laws, rules, and regulations including DR 4300-010, Civil Rights Accountability Policy and Procedures and EEOC’s MD-715 and other USDA and ARS regulations, policies and guidelines. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 The FY 2011 Area Reduce/eliminate barriers Management Directive identified in the MD-715, 715 (MD 715), Annual EEO Annual EEO Program Program Report was used Report. as a management tool to identify potential barriers to creating and maintaining a diversified and qualified workplace, and to develop action plans to reduce/eliminate barriers. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 50 STRATEGIC GOAL AREA 5 Strategies and Means • Review and issue annual policy statements regarding EEO/civil rights, anti-harassment, and sexual harassment to promote an environment free from discrimination, sexual or non-sexual harassment, and retaliation to 100 percent of ARS employees. • Develop and submit annual EEO Program Status reports to EEOC and the Department aimed at eliminating barriers to hire women, underrepresented groups based on the Civilian Labor Force (CLF), and persons with disabilities. • Expand outreach activities in K-12 schools, universities/colleges, minority serving institutions and organizations that cater to persons with disabilities providing education about scientific research to increase percentage of underrepresented groups based on the CLF. ARS’ goal is to increase the annual percentage of new hires by 75 percent of the following groups compared to the new hire FY 2011 data (goal is noted in parentheses): White females (49); Hispanic male (3); Hispanic female (2); African American male (11); African American female (18); and persons with targeted disabilities (1). • Use Schedule A hiring authority for persons with disabilities and Veteran Hiring Authorities as part of strategy to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. ARS’ goal is to increase the annual percentage of veteran new hires by 75 percent or 62 veterans. • Provide EEO/civil rights information and counseling and advice to 100 percent of the employees requesting the information through a variety of sources to reduce EEO complaints. • Ensure that all employees complete mandatory and recommended EEO training. • Conduct civil rights impact analyses as required. • Offer the ADR process to all employees in all stages of the EEO complaint process. ARS’ goal is to increase the annual usage of ADR by 50 percent or 18. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 51 ARS Management Goals ARS is continually assessing the relevance, quality, and performance of its research, providing agricultural information to the public through the National Agricultural Library and print and electronic media, ensuring adequate facilities to support Agency research, and ensuring a workplace conducive to personal and professional development. MANAGEMENT GOAL 1: ENSURING THE QUALITY, RELEVANCE, AND PERFORMANCE OF ARS RESEARCH (COVERS ALL RESEARCH OBJECTIVES) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has established Government-wide R&D Investment Criteria that are designed to assess the relevance, quality, and performance of Federally funded research, and ARS adopted the R&D Investment Criteria as a tool to measure its research. To establish the relevancy of the Agency’s research programs, ARS relies on organized interactions with customers, stakeholders, and partners. Peer reviews conducted by the Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) and the Research Position Evaluation System (RPES) ensure the quality of the Agency’s research and scientific workforce. All research projects are assessed annually to determine the number of currently approved milestones that were met/not met during the preceding fiscal year. Near the end of the 5- year program cycle, National Programs are subject to retrospective reviews, which verify the scientific impact and programmatic relevance of the work conducted under each National Program Action Plan. Performance Measures MG 1.1 RELEVANCE: ARS’ BASIC, APPLIED, AND DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS ARE WELL- CONCEIVED, HAVE SPECIFIC PROGRAMMATIC GOALS, ADDRESS HIGH PRIORITY NATIONAL NEEDS, AND HAVE DIRECT RELEVANCY IN ACHIEVING ARS’ LONG-TERM GOALS. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 As assessed against the 100% of ARS’ projects will Program Action Plans, the be conducting highly Agency's long-term goals, relevant research. and the priority needs of U.S. agriculture, 97.1% of ARS’ projects were conducting highly relevant research. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 52 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS MG 1.2 QUALITY: ARS’ RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE REVIEWED FOR QUALITY BY NATIONAL PROGRAM USING INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL PEER REVIEW PANELS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 5-YEAR NATIONAL PROGRAM CYCLE. On average, one fifth of the Agency’s Research Projects are reviewed annually by external peer panels. Most projects receive initial scores of needing “No Revision”, “Minor Revision”, or “Moderate Revision” and are certified after any needed revisions, based on review panel comments, are made. The remaining projects, rated as needing “Major Revision” or as “Not Feasible”, receive detailed comments from the review panel and are revised. When these revised projects are examined again by the panel, the majority receives scores of “No”, “Minor”, or “Moderate” revision needed. Those few projects (approximately 3% of all projects) still rated as needing “Major Revision” or “Not Feasible” after a second review is terminated and resources redirected to High Priority projects. A strength of this Peer Review process is the opportunity to incorporate recommendations of peer panels and enhance ARS research. The Research Position Evaluation System (RPES) conducts Peer Reviews of all ARS scientists on a three-to-five-year cycle. RPES is designed to ensure that ARS will continue to classify and evaluate scientists through a peer process to ensure the highest quality scientific workforce. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Using an average based on Using a cumulative five- As assessed against the 100% of ARS’ projects will cumulative scores for the year average, 85% of the Program Action Plans, the be conducting highly past 5 years, 80% of projects reviewed will Agency's long-term goals, relevant research. projects received scores of receive initial scores of No, and the priority needs of No, Minor, Moderate Minor, or Moderate U.S. agriculture, 97.1% of revision need upon initial revision needed and 99% ARS’ projects were review and, overall, 98% will receive such scores by conducting highly relevant received such scores by the completion of the review. research. completion of the review. OSQR and the Peer Review Process The Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) manages the ARS peer review system for research projects, which gives researchers the opportunity to obtain constructive feedback from their external peers. These reviews are conducted by panels made up almost entirely of non-ARS scientific professionals, including an external chairperson with expert knowledge pertinent to the research being reviewed. In their evaluations, panels assess each Project Plan’s research methodology, probability of success, and scientific merit. The peer review panel provides comments and scores each project as needing “No Revision”, “Minor Revision”, “Moderate Revision”, and “Major Revision” or as “Not Feasible” STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 53 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS MG 1.3 PERFORMANCE: ARS WILL MONITOR THE PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL RESEARCH PROJECT MILESTONES MET. All research projects are assessed annually to determine the number of currently approved milestones that were met/not met during the preceding fiscal year. Information as to why a milestone was not met (including mitigating circumstances) is collected and will be used for making program management decisions. ARS projects a 10 percent baseline level of milestones not met due to personnel attrition. Thus, the maximum achievable milestone target is reduced in real terms to 90 percent. Each National Program is reviewed by external review panels at the end of its 5-year National Program cycle. The panel provides a written report on the quality of accomplishments, impact of the research, and thorough constructive critique recommendations for the next National Program cycle. Twenty percent of National Programs are reviewed annually. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 Baseline 2012 Target 2017 89% of project milestones 94% of project milestones Office of National Programs ONP will complete National were fully or substantially will be fully or substantially (ONP) completed National Program Retrospective met. met. Program Retrospective Reviews for remaining Reviews for all Programs in programs in the second 5- the first 5-year cycle and year cycle and begin began reviews for the reviews for programs in the programs currently in the third 5-year cycle. second 5-year cycle. National Program Assessment Process The Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) manages the ARS peer review system for research projects, which gives researchers the opportunity to obtain constructive feedback from their external peers. These reviews are conducted by panels made up almost entirely of non-ARS scientific professionals, including an external chairperson with expert knowledge pertinent to the research being reviewed. In their evaluations, panels assess each Project Plan’s research methodology, probability of success, and scientific merit. The peer review panel provides comments and scores each project as needing “No Revision”, “Minor Revision”, “Moderate Revision”, and “Major Revision” or as “Not Feasible” Strategies and Means • Conduct an annual assessment of projects to determine if they have maintained direct relevance in achieving ARS’ long term goals and the priority needs of U.S. agriculture. Those projects considered of lower relevance will be redirected into higher priority research areas/objectives. (Relevance) • Receive summary information from OSQR, using a statistical rolling average, of the results achieved during the initial panel review. (Quality) • Receive a summary each year of peer reviews that RPES conducts on ARS scientists. (Quality) • Assess each project’s progress against each approved milestone, indicating whether it was fully met, substantially met, or not met with an explanation for the latter two ratings. Line management will review and concur in these assessments. Each year, ONP will review these assessments to validate their conclusions. (Performance) • Assess National Programs to gauge the level of past performance and establish the research STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 54 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS priorities and direction of the program for the next five-year cycle. This process, covering approximately 20 percent of the Agency’s research program each year, provides valuable input to the writing teams that are drafting Action Plans for the next five-year program cycle. (Performance) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 55 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS MANAGEMENT GOAL 2: INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: EXTEND THE CAPACITY OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS CONFRONTING U.S. AGRICULTURE In recognition that agriculture, and agricultural research, is now a global enterprise, ARS’ international office enhances the productivity, effectiveness, and impact of ARS National Programs through mutually beneficial international research activities. The United States directly benefits from international collaboration in agricultural research through access to new ideas and technologies, global germplasm collections, crucial international foreign research sites, enhancement to domestic research, and increased trade. The increasingly transboundary nature of many agricultural problems, such as emerging and re-emerging plant and animal diseases, control of invasive species through discovery and importation of biological control agents, scientific collections including genetic resources preservation, and the need to increase productivity to ensure adequate supplies of agricultural products, provides a strong incentive for greater international cooperation. International agricultural research cooperation addresses global food security by providing solutions to current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability challenges. By sharing knowledge and technology through close collaboration with national and international research institutions in other countries and in the United States to increase institutional research capacity and speed technology development, ARS collaborations enhances international relationships and provides a benign face to U.S. trade and diplomacy. Crop Production and Protection (CPP): Because USDA does not have the capacity to maintain collections for the entire world’s vital crop germplasm, international cooperation plays a critical role in germplasm conservation. In addition, USDA must continue to cooperate with several foreign and international research institutions to fully realize the promise of genomics and genetics research. To also address the concern of food security, additional, long term cooperation is needed in research to continue increasing productivity, availability and utilization of food. International cooperation is also critical for the U.S. to address the control of invasive species (diseases, weeds and insect pests) detrimental to crops, forests, and other natural areas. Animal Production and Protection (APP): International cooperation enhances the goals of this area by increasing access to different livestock species which enables research to understand the mechanisms of disease resistance. International cooperation helps to develop and test tools to prevent, control, or eradicate diseases that threaten our food supply or public heath, and identifying and developing sustainable systems for production of high quality meat, milk, and eggs. International cooperation is particularly important in the area of animal diseases and their vectors since the approaches to controlling exotic diseases are not as well tested outside of areas where they occur endemically. It plays a key role in animal and aquaculture genomics and should continue to focus on development of tools and resources to meet productivity, efficiency and sustainability needs. International cooperation also provides access to management systems and animal species that have been developed or evolved in tropical and semi-tropical climates and manifest much greater stress and disease tolerance. Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (NRSAS): Scientists from around the world are drawn to work with ARS in this arena given our current capacities and successes in developing and applying natural resources management strategies and models. ARS gains from these collaborations with additional data which helps scientists improve these techniques and models over time and prove their application in different environments. In addition, sharing these applications helps extend the impact of these technologies in a world facing critical challenges to manage natural resources, particularly water. This also extends to addressing Climate Change and how to manage its impact on U.S. agricultural production as well as how it is impacted by agricultural practices. Finally, to try and meet U.S. bioenergy targets through research on biomass production, we continue to engage our international partners to address biomass use, productivity, management and sustainability. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 56 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality (NFSQ): Because this area addresses many issues of concern to consumers and because of the global nature of agriculture, international cooperation can help provide a scientific foundation, both for research and to address regulatory, trade, and consumer issues. Because of the diversity of the American population and food consumption patterns, international collaborations can leverage and greatly enhance U.S. nutrition research. Performance Measures MG 2.1 DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, CO- PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT ACHIEVING THE ARS NATIONAL PROGRAM GOALS. MG 2.2 EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN MULTILATERAL AND BILATERAL FORUMS IN WAYS THAT CAN HELP CATALYZE, OR PREVENT OR REDUCE IMPEDIMENTS TO, SCIENTIFIC OR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND TRADE. Strategies and Means • Catalyze and implement international programs and projects that help the Agency to address critical threats to U.S. agriculture, including foreign animal and plant diseases and pests and invasive species. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 57 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS MANAGEMENT GOAL 3: ENSURE PROVISION AND PERMANENT ACCESS OF QUALITY AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION FOR USDA, THE NATION, AND THE GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY VIA THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) has statutory mandates to identify, collect, preserve in perpetuity, and provide access to quality information relevant to agriculture; serve as one of four national libraries; serve as USDA’s library; provide leadership in developing and operating a comprehensive agricultural library and information network; and provide specialized information services through such NAL information centers and programs as AGRICOLA, the LCA Digital Commons, the Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC), Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC), Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC), Food Safety Research Information Office, National Invasive Species Information Center, Rural Information Center (RIC), and Water Quality Information Center (WIC). The world’s largest agricultural library and a member of the Association of Research Libraries, NAL serves a large and broad customer base, including such audiences as policymakers, researchers, agricultural specialists, farmers, members of the library, educational and agribusiness sectors, food stamp recipients, and the general public. NAL and NAL customers benefit from participation in a number of partnerships and alliances, including the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC), Nutrition.gov, and CENDI. NAL Service Delivery The National Agricultural Library manages the world’s largest agricultural information collections, designated as a USDA heritage asset, which include more than 50 million physical items as well as extensive digital information products including databases, digital full-text journals and digital full-text books and maps. AGRICOLA (AGRICultural OnLine Access), NAL’s online catalog and index to the agricultural literature, serves as the finding tool for these collections and is made available free of charge by NAL at http://agricola.nal.usda.gov and by a number of commercial companies. In addition to extensive reference, research, information center, and document delivery services delivered to a global clientele, NAL provides 24/7 access for USDA staff worldwide to a large and growing array of digital information products via DigiTop (NAL’s Digital DeskTop Library for USDA). NAL has initiated development of a digital collection system to preserve for perpetuity USDA publications and other essential agricultural information assets. Performance Measures MG 3.1 THE SERVICES AND COLLECTIONS OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL CUSTOMERS. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 The National Agricultural The National Agricultural Library total annual volume Library total annual volume of customer service of customer service transactions exceeded 95 transactions will exceed million. 130 million. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 58 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS Strategies and Means • Understand the information needs of NAL beneficiaries, customers, stakeholders, and partners by conducting large-scale as well as targeted surveys, focus groups, and other assessment instruments in order to meet and anticipate needs. • Deliver unified, easy to use, convenient 24/7 digital services designed to meet customer needs and preferences. • Deliver rapid information and services concerning “hot topics” and emerging issues of critical national importance. • Improve information delivery to underserved customer audiences. • Develop NAL brands to raise visibility. • Market NAL services to specific audiences. • Increase advocacy and outreach initiatives. • Deliver training to optimize use of NAL programs and services. • Optimize NAL structure, information technologies, and workflows to reflect increased movement to digital programs and services. • Recruit and retain a service-oriented, technologically-adept workforce. • Foster a culture of innovation and creativity within NAL. • Partner with important technology concerns to expose NAL content and to develop shared technical standards in conformance with national policies. • Extend partnerships with USDA and other Federal agencies to develop targeted information services. • Continue to participate in and lead national and international alliances and partnerships • Conserve the rare and at-risk items in the NAL physical collection to secure the Nation’s agricultural heritage. • Broaden and deepen the NAL physical and digital information collections. • Extend and enrich AGRICOLA, including through links to online full-text publications and the continued enhancement of the NAL Thesaurus. • Expand the audience and content for the NAL Digital Collections • Advance NAL preservation and digitization programs. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 59 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS MANAGEMENT GOAL 4: DEVELOP OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ENABLE ARS TO BETTER SUPPORT THE USDA INITIATIVE TO INCREASE SERVICES TO LIMITED RESOURCE, SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, AND/OR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FARMERS AND RANCHERS. USDA has identified a number of issues related to how it serves or fails to serve that segment of the U.S. agricultural community that has been historically underserved by many Government programs. These studies did not identify specific issues or problems in the USDA research programs, but in 2000, ARS decided to take a more active approach to see how the knowledge and technologies developed through its intramural research activities could be made available to Outreach target populations (historically underserved, limited resource, and/or socially disadvantaged). Performance Measures MG 4.1 BRING THE BENEFITS OF ARS RESEARCH TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THESE TARGET POPULATIONS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH ACCESS TO ARS-GENERATED KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY THAT ENABLES THEM TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 ARS has an Agency Area Outreach Outreach Coordinator and coordinators will identify an Outreach Coordinator in organizations and every Area. The Agency individuals that serve the Outreach Coordinator will underserved populations answer directly to the who are potential users of Associate Administrator of ARS research and work to ONP. The Outreach reduce/eliminate barriers Coordinators are to their participation. responsible for actively seeking ways to reduce/eliminate internal barriers that prevent target populations from accessing ARS research products. MG 4.2 IDENTIFY SIGNIFICANT OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND REPORT THEM ANNUALLY TO THE USDA OFFICE OF OUTREACH. Baseline 2012 Target 2017 ARS identified 20 ARS will cumulatively significant Outreach report 100 significant activities and reported Outreach Activities to the them to the Departmental USDA Office of Outreach Office of Outreach as and through the GPRA requested. Annual Performance Report. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 60 ARS MANAGEMENT GOALS Strategies and Means • Provide leadership to forge interagency efforts to better serve underserved populations (partnerships within USDA, and with other Federal agencies, State agencies, universities, and private organizations) • Increase extramural agreements with organizations that serve underserved populations. • Increase the number of invitations extended to representatives of underserved populations to participate in program workshops, symposia, project/program reviews, and site/location reviews. • Increase the number of research collaborations and technology transfer activities focused on meeting the special needs of this target population. • Identify good examples of recent research that can or will be useful to target populations and ways to help them access this information. • Ensure that appropriate employees are aware of the outreach initiative and their responsibilities in it. • Promote knowledge of the outreach initiative to new employees, as appropriate. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 61 ARS Administrative and Financial Management (AFM) Initiatives OVERVIEW OF AFM INITIATIVES ARS’ Administrative and Financial Management (AFM) initiatives link with USDA’s management initiatives to support more efficient program operations and deliver scientific excellence and public service. AFM expects to: • Ensure an efficient, high performing, high quality, diverse workforce to fully accomplish the ARS mission and work cooperatively with partners and the private sector. • Ensure ARS sustains a clean annual audit opinion and provides access to quality financial information through financial systems that meet the needs of their users. • Enhance ARS effectiveness through effective and automated services for acquisition, personal property, and administrative management. • Link budget decisions and program priorities more closely with program performance and consider the full cost of programs. • Reduce improper payments by establishing targets and corrective actions. • Efficiently and effectively manage real property through good stewardship (i.e., acquisition, maintenance, and disposal) of ARS’ real property assets. • Award extramural agreements in an efficient and timely manner, and ensure they are legally and fiscally sound and in full compliance with established policies and procedures. • Ensure systems fully meet needs for AFM information and guidance in support of the President’s Management Agenda and E-Gov initiatives. Below is a brief summary of AFM’s priorities. IMPROVE HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT The AFM strategic plan contains objectives related to improved management of ARS human capital. The plan focuses on strategic workforce planning, leadership development, optimizing organizational structures to address current and future challenges, and improving performance management to maximize employee performance. The AFM strategic plan identifies human capital challenges and implements an accountability system to monitor and address these challenges. Such challenges include meeting the demand for cutting edge research talent, creating a workforce with a combination of skills not previously required, and fully supporting the Department’s mission. In managing its human capital and delivering its services to customers, ARS will continue to focus on ensuring civil rights and equal employment opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, political belief, marital or familial status, or any other factor. ARS is committed to continuous civil rights progress in the workplace, program STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 62 AFM INITIATIVES delivery, and the efficient processing of complaints. AFM plans to: • Identify current and future skill gaps through an effective workforce planning process. • Deliver human resource services through the implementation of e-HR tools. • Improve individual and organizational performance through the development of position descriptions, standard performance plans, and training and knowledge management strategies. • Ensure that ARS fosters a workplace atmosphere conducive to achieving the Agency’s mission. IMPROVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Effectively managing the use of taxpayer dollars is a fundamental Federal responsibility. ARS intends to ensure that all funds spent are accounted for properly to taxpayers, Congress, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The AFM Financial Management Division (FMD) works to improve financial management in partnership with the USDA Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). AFM-FMD plans to: • Ensure that ARS meets all appropriation level accounting and reporting requirements, and ensure that all reports continue to indicate an accurate financial picture and that reporting difficulties are rapidly resolved. • Continue to improve financial system business processes and financial reporting capabilities. • Provide support to ARS travelers with professional customer-oriented travel and transportation staff and a Web-based travel system. • Ensure financial management bulletins and undocumented business practices are incorporated into policies and procedures for the agency. PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR EXTRAMURAL AGREEMENTS PROGRAM USDA promotes the improvement and development of systems of accountability that encourage all employees to achieve high standards of performance and customer service. ARS recognizes the need for improved business process to achieve this high level of customer service and employee performance. The AFM Extramural Agreements Division further supports this initiative through the review and improvement of the extramural agreements process to provide a streamlined and consistent agreements process throughout the Agency. ELIMINATE IMPROPER PAYMENTS Based on recent audit estimates, Federal agencies make more than $45.1 billion in improper payments annually. This USDA initiative requires agencies to measure their improper payments annually, develop improvement targets and corrective action plans, and track the results annually to ensure that corrective actions are effective. AFM will work with the Department plan to: • Work with Department and Agency officials to reduce the number of improper payments made. • Recover, where possible, overpayments made to individuals and organizations. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 63 AFM INITIATIVES IMPROVE ASSET MANAGEMENT It is the policy of USDA to promote the efficient and economical use of the Department’s real property assets and to assure management accountability for implementing Federal real property management reforms. Based on this policy, ARS recognizes the importance of real property resources through increased management attention, the establishment of clear goals and objectives, improved policies and levels of accountability, and other appropriate actions. AFM supports the Department’s real property asset management program and the following strategic objectives used for real property management improvement: • Develop a capital investment strategy that incorporates both facility needs as well as program needs. • Maximize facility utilization and co-locate Agency operations when possible. • Use performance measures as part of the asset management decision process. • Provide management information to determine the appropriate levels of investment. • Dispose of unneeded assets. • Use appropriate public and commercial benchmarks and best practices to improve asset management. • Provide for safe, secure, and healthy workplaces. SUPPORT FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE This initiative strives to support the essential work of faith-based and community organizations. AFM supports this initiative by ensuring the acquisition process allows these organizations to compete on equal footing for ARS contracts. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 64 ARS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Management Initiatives OVERVIEW OF MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES ARS works through its Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to enable more effective and efficient research mission delivery through a strengthened information and technology management program. The premise of this program is based on the following vision statement: “ARS information systems are mission driven and responsive to customer needs; they are reliable, secure, user friendly, relevant, innovative, well planned, and managed effectively.” Effective information systems flow from mission requirements. This relationship dictates a structured, comprehensive, and ongoing review of information systems and the technology needed to support ARS mission and internal and external customer needs. Because ARS is the government entity uniquely responsible for creating new knowledge and the data, information, and technology necessary for a sustainable and globally competitive American agriculture, the Agency’s information technology program must provide a safe and reliable environment to support the creation, storage, and dissemination of this knowledge. The ARS OCIO works in consultation with the ARS Executive Information Technology (IT) Steering Committee to define the strategic direction of the Agency’s information technology program in the ARS IT Strategic Plan, which defines ARS’ IT strategic goals, objectives, and strategies. The plan identifies key information management issues and provides the framework for developing integrated information systems and technology through further definition and specification of architecture components and information elements. OCIO then works in coordination with the Agency’s IT specialists to implement these IT strategies with broad Agency wide impact. EXPAND ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT OCIO facilitates the Agency’s implementation of broad Federally and USDA-mandated IT programs focused on expanding electronic government. OCIO will continue to work with the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (USDAOCIO) to achieve this goal. Specifically, OCIO will work with the USDA- OCIO on key areas for effective IT management, such as Enterprise Architecture, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and Capital Planning and Investment Control, as well as on network efficiency, reliability, and capacity to ensure support of E-Government projects. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 65 OCIO INITIATIVES Strategies and Means • Ensure that the ARS mission drives its information systems and the deployment of information technology. • Ensure that ARS information systems are reliable, secure, relevant, innovative, well planned, and managed effectively. • Invest in appropriate human resources and infrastructure to ensure effective management of high quality information and state-of-the-art technology. • Ensure information systems support research and technology transfer through development and dissemination of ARS advanced knowledge-based systems, decision tools, and databases. • Ensure that researchers, educators, and the public have an awareness of and access to research accomplishments and agriculturally related information. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 66 Appendix A: Strategic Consultations & Inter-Agency Working Groups Appendix C: Strategic Consultations ARS regularly consults with external groups – from customers to policy experts, to industry and consumer groups – about the effectiveness of its programs and the need for improvement. While many of these consultations are not conducted expressly for the purpose of the strategic plan, they influence strategic goals, objectives, strategies, and targets. ARS Associate Administrators, Deputy Administrators, and National Program Leaders serve on many committees, taskforces and inter-agency working groups where they lend their expertise to solving agricultural problems on both a domestic and global scale. ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety Academy of Finland USDA/Finland information ADODR on Confidentiality Agreements Food Companies To discuss mutual interests related to functional foods Chief of NRCS, Office of the FACA dealing with air quality, climate change and Agricultural Air Quality Task Force Secretary sometimes bioenergy research & policy Agricultural Trilateral Working To promote food security for Pakistan and Afghanistan in Group Pakistan, Afghanistan (NEW) FSA partnership with USDA Air Quality Research Subcommittee CENR Federal agency information sharing Alternative Feeds for Aquaculture Spur progress in development of aquaculture feedstuffs Initiative USDA/NOAA not reliant on marine pelagic fisheries To exchange information and assess industry research American Bakers Association ABA needs and priorities. American College of Veterinary board certification association for veterinary preventive Preventative Medicine AVMA medicine- I'm a diplomat American Leather Chemists To share information and assess priority needs of the Association ALCA hides and leather industries Meat and Livestock Industry American Meat Science Association and Universities Coordinate public research in meat quality, and safety American Society of Microbiology ASM share microbiologic information American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA sharing of information on veterinary medicine American Meat Institute AMI Scientific Steering Committee (AMI) Set research priorities and review grants AMI, NCBA, AMI, Pork Board, UFFV, Commodity Exchange information on priorities APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Board of Advisors USDA, APHIS, PPQ Coordination and Customer Needs for APHIS PPQ APHIS Research Priorities Steering Committee APHIS, ARS, NIFA Interagency Coordination APHIS Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents for Provide Technical guidance to APHIS on risks Weeds APHIS associated with biological control agent releases Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Provide Technical Guidance to Federal Invasive Species Force Federal Interagency Response (Aquatic Nuisance Species) Armed Forces Pest Management Board DoD Consultant STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 67 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Coordinates biosecurity related research conducted for ARS Liaison to FSIS Biosecurity DHS or FSIS by ARS. Assist in conducting Carver- Division USDA Shock analysis on biosecurity agents To cooperate in developing innovative new products to ARS MOU with DMI, Inc. DMI, Inc. expand markets for U.S. dairy producers and processors To improve coordination between the two organizations to better leverage resources applied to the research ARS MOU with the United Soybean necessary to develop value-added non-food, non-feed, Board United Soybean Board products using soybeans as a feedstock ARS partnership with DMI, Inc., the Designed to leverage government, industry and National Dairy Council, and the university resources to greater overall effectiveness and Department of Defense, Combat efficiencies, increase collaboration, and help to achieve a Feeding DMI, Inc. more profitable dairy industry Asian Tiger Mosquito Areawide IPM Project ARS Coordination and consultant ASM Steering Committee for American Society of To occur in 2011 on Meeting Global Water Needs Research Colloquium Microbiology (ASM) (includes food safety) Association of Public Health Communicate public health information among Veterinarians AVMA veterinarians working in state, local and federal govt BEP Animal Health Initiatives ARS, DoS Scientific Diplomacy The Biobased Products and Bioenergy Coordination Council (BBCC) was established by the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a forum through which USDA agencies will coordinate, facilitate and promote research, development, transfer of technology, commercialization, and marketing of biobased products and Bioenergy using renewable domestic agricultural and forestry materials. This includes promoting information sharing, strategic Biobased Products and Bioenergy planning and providing policy advice to the Secretary. Coordination Council REE Undersecretary (see www.ars.usda.gov/bbcc) Biochem 20/20 Contractor Biosecurity Coordinate International collaborative efforts in Biodefense Backstopping subPCC - DoD developing countries Bioenergy Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Area BioEnergy Science Team assisting FSA in developing Selection Criteria Working Group Farm Service Agency science-based criteria for evaluation BCAP proposals Biofuels Sustainability Criteria and Biomass Research & Develop criteria and indicators for sustainable biomass Indicators Sub-committee Development Board production Coordinate international collaborative efforts to enhance Biological Threat Reduction the development of a veterinary infrastructure and animal Program DOD health research in developing countries Biomass Conversion Interagency Biomass R&D Initiative coordinate Federal-wide efforts in support of converting Working Group Board ligno-cellulosics to fuels Identify EH&S hazards and benefits related to practices Biomass R&D Board - and technologies of Environmental Health & Safety Congress/EPA/USDA components of the biofuels supply chain Advise federal government on developing personnel Biosurety working group NSABB reliability standards Biotechnology Coordinating Committee Across USDA Consistent communication regarding Biotech w/in USDA USDA, CG Centers, Gates Foundation, multiple wheat Borlaug Global Rust Initiative growing countries Address Ug99 and other virulent wheat stem rusts STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 68 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program APHIS Coordination of research and operations CBRN Countermeasures Federal Biosecurity Research CEAP Steering Committee NRCS Coordinate CEAP activities CEAP Working Group NRCS coordinate grazingland CEAP activities To coordinate research to combat citrus greening ARS, APHIS, Florida Citrus disease in cooperation with APHIS, University Citrus Greening Coordinating Group Mutual collaborators, and IFAS. Plan national research programs to develop and Citrus Greening Research Planning implement management strategies for citrus greening Taskforce ARS and canker. ARS, HHS, DHS, NIH, Classified Life Sciences Research CDC, USAF, OSTP, FPA, To coordinate interagency activities related to Interagency Working Group FSIS classification of research. Climate Change Carbon Cycle US Climate Change Interagency Working Group Science Program Info sharing, research coordination Climate Change Ecosystems US Climate Change Interagency Working Group Science Program Info sharing, research coordination Climate Change Land Use/Land US Climate Change Cover Interagency Working Group Science Program Info sharing, research coordination Climate Change North American US Climate Change Carbon Project Steering Committee Science Program Research coordination Climate Change Water Cycle US Climate Change Interagency Working Group Science Program Info sharing, research coordination Codex- FDA coordinating Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Codex Alimentarius US group Resistance Colony Collapse Disorder Steering Committee ARS Coordination of research for Colony Collapse Disorder. Collaborate on food safety research: share food safety Combase USDA/FSA-UK information COMEXA (Comision Mexicano- Estados Unidos Para La Eradicacion del Gusano Barrenador de Ganados) APHIS Coordination Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (CENR) Subcommittee on Water Availability Coordinate water activities across all Federal agencies & Quality (SWAQ) OSTP (USGS has lead) with water missions. COPEG (Comision Panameno- Estados Unidos Para La Eradicacion del Gusano Barrenador de Ganados) APHIS Coordination Office of Pest Management Policy (USDA ARS) (participants include all USDA agencies involved in pesticide research or policy Provide coordination of pesticide related issues across Core Group development) USDA CRWG committee on Practices for Enhancing Personnel Reliability and the Culture of Responsibility in High Evaluate standards for personnel for high containment Containment Labs Interagency laboratories STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 69 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Department of Defense Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) Review DoS, DoD, HHS, and USDA Interagency Coordination Deployed Warfighter Protection Program DoD Coordination of research and development DHS AG/Food Sub IPT Interagency Coordination of research and development DHS Chemical-Biological Capestone IPT Interagency Coordination of research and development The mission of the committee is to enhance and coordinate the nation's capability to anticipate, prevent, and protect, respond to and recover from chemical threat attacks through innovative research, development, and transition capabilities. Specific focus NSTC Task Force DHS S&T Chemical on Non-Traditional Chemical Agents: Research and Countermeasures USDA Development Plan The committee identifies and evaluates food and water capability, and countermeasure gaps for non-traditional DHS/NTA USDA agents (NTAs) 3 groups: Coordinating Homeland Security Science and Technology; Agriculture; and Rapid Detection Working DHS-OMB-MAX USDA Group Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Provide input on plans for research/treatment/education Coordinating Committee NIH of diabetes Review federal nutrition publications for compliance with Dietary Guidance Working Group USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans Coordinate drought monitoring and decision making in Drought Coordinating Council USDA USDA, advise Sec'y and agencies. Advise federal government on developing Dual use Dual Use Research working group NSABB research guidelines EFSA Scientific Colloquium on Assessing HealthBenefits of Controlling Campylobacter in the Food Chain ASM Research Provide guidance on potential interventions in poultry for Colloquium on Global Food Safety EFSA Campylobacter EU-US Safe Food EC Share food safety information FADT Subcommittee, Veterinary ARS, DHS, APHIS, EPA, Countermeasures DoD IWG Coordinate Emergency responses to biosecurity: Fed Emergency Response Network Federal methods validation Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel (FESAP) Interagency Security of Select Agent Policies Federal Interagency Committee for Management of Noxious and Exotic Provide Technical Guidance to Federal Invasive Species Weeds (FICMNEW) Federal Interagency Response (Weeds) Federal Interagency Committee on Provide Technical Guidance to Federal Invasive Species Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Federal Interagency (USDA Response (Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Plant and Animal Pathogens (ITAP) and DOI Co-Chair) Pathogens) Federal-State Potato Research ARS-National Potato To conduct research on emerging pests of potato in a Program Council Federal-State partnership to address high priority areas Feedstock Production Interagency Working Group, Genetic Biomass Research & Improvement Development Board Develop Interagency Strategic Plan for Bioenergy STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 70 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Food Allergy Clinical Guidelines Oversee process of developing guidelines on food Coordinating Committee NIAID allergy Coordination of Food Defense research and Food Defense R&D Interagency development between DHS, USDA, HHS, and any other Committee USDA pertinent agencies Foreign Animal Disease Threat (FADT) Subcommittee, Basic Research Working Group ARS, NSF, DHS, HHS IWG Foreign Animal Disease Threat Coordinate Foreign Animal Disease countermeasures Subcommittee NSTC and research Forest Service Forest Service Interagency Coordination FSU Animal Health Initiatives ARS, DoS Scientific Diplomacy To coordinate research efforts to address issues of high Garden Rose Council Rose Nursery industry priority to the Garden Rose industry Information sharing among USDA agencies with climate Global Change Task Force Office of Chief Economist change activities Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Alliance to Research Alliance (GFRA) ARS, APHIS, DHS support FAO/OIE global control and eradication initiative 1. To identify several high-impact research questions and potential “game changers” in global health; 2. To determine how the GHI Interagency Research Committee (IRC) can facilitate GHI plus partner country implementation of GHI’s Principle #7, “Promote Research and Innovation;”3. To identify how individual agencies/initiatives can align current and planned global Global Health Initiative (GHI) ARS, NIH, CDC, NIFA, health research efforts to advance GHI principles and Interagency Research Committee OSTP targets; To bridge gaps in research on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and to coordinate such research on an international scale, ensuring that scientists share their findings with research communities and farmers in other Global Research Alliance on countries as well as their own. Shafer is international Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Croplands coordinator Global Water Cycle Interagency Climate Change Science Develop new, innovative science concepts to incorporate Work Group Program (CCSP) into the CCSP global water cycle science plan Human Nutrition Coordinating Share information among USDA agencies whose Committee USDA mission includes nutrition-chaired by ARS Human Studies Review Board EPA Expert consultation Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety ICT-Prague` USDA/Czech Republic information International Life Sciences ILSI Carbohydrates Committee Institute Focus on issues of importance to food industry Implementation Team for Joint China National Energy Administration (NEA)-DOE-USDA Implement Joint NEA-DOE-USDA MOU for advanced MOU Foreign Agricultural Service biofuels production research. Informal interagency group for responding to OIG study on USDA Developed USDA-wide response to OIG study of how control of genetically-engineered Office of the Secretary, USDA managed holdings of genetically-engineered crop holdings APHIS, ARS crops STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 71 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Develops US government positions on OECD developed Informal interagency group on guidelines for biological resource center and related OECD biosecurity and biobanks State Department topics Inter Agency Residue Federal Share food safety information Interagency Cross-Cutting Group on Develop priorities, outreach, and strategies for Climate change and Human Health USGCRP (OSTP) adaptation to climate change Interagency Feedstock Production Bioenergy R&D Initiative co-chair, Identify research needs and make Working Group Board recommendations Interagency Grazinglands Working Coordinate grazingland activities between USDA & DOI Group USDA (ARS & NIFA) Interagency Native Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) DOI Promote & develop interagency and private partnerships InterAgency Water & Drought Team USDA Coordinate REE activities among agencies Interagency Water Group State Department Coordinate federal water agencies/international focus Interagency Working Group on Climate Change and Public Health EPA, NIH Coordination Interagency Working Group on Review progress, needs & opportunities in animal Domestic Animal Genomics OSTP genomics research Interagency Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, & Coordinate federal activities, re: harmful algal blooms, Human Health NOAA hypoxia and human health Intergovernmental Risk Assessment All Federal agencies- FDA Consortium runs it Share information on risk assessment Intergovernmental Select Agents and Toxins Technical Advisory Board Interagency Interagency Coordination International Association for Food sharing information on food safety and science issues- Production IAFP yearly meeting and journal International Bioengagement Coordinate international collaborative animal health Program subPCC- State Department research and biosafety activities USDA, NIFA, and ARS (participants include Generate data needed to develop university researchers and research data to support new EPA tolerances and IR-4 crop industry reps,) labeled product uses for minor crops (specialty crops) IWG Molecular Vaccines DoD, ARS, NIH, FDA IWG NIH, ARS, APHIS, EPA, IWG on Prion Science NSF IWG JCR: Food Agriculture Sector, DHS Team DHS Biosecurity Coordination of Aquaculture activities across federal Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture OSTP agencies Judicious Use of Antibiotics USDA Development of action and research goals Methyl Bromide Alternatives To plan and organize the annual International Methyl Outreach Conference Program Alternatives and Emissions Control Research Outreach Committee ARS, EPA, and industry Conference Methyl Bromide Quarantine To provide technical input to State/EPA policy makers on taskforce (NEW) State /EPA/USDA methyl bromide quarantine issues. Methyl Bromide Technical Options United Nations Provide technical input to the signatories of the Montreal Committee [MBTOC] Environmental Programmes Protocol. Microbe Project Inter- Agency Working Group Federal Genomics of organisms MOST-SJTU USDA/China Collaborate food safety Res STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 72 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose To address the research priorities of GIPSA/FGIS in MOU with GIPSA/FGIS GIPSA/FGIS development measurement technologies for grain quality National Barley Improvement Committee/American Malting Barley Association Barley producers/industry Barley stakeholder groups Berry industry (ARS and To coordinate industry efforts to address issues of National Berry Crop Initiative NIFA participate) importance, including research, to the berry industry. Protects U.S. specialty crop agriculture and the environment from the spread, through asexual propagation, of targeted plant pathogens and pests that National Clean Plant Network APHIS cause economic damage National Coalition for Childhood Collaboration among USDA, NIH, CDC and Robert Wood Obesity Research HHS Johnson Foundation on prevention of childhood obesity National Corn Growers Assoc./USDA Corn Germplasm Committee Corn producers/industry Corn stakeholder group American Phytopathological Develop a National System for Preservation and National Culture Collection Initiative Society Distribution of Plant-associated Microbes Dairy Management Inc., USDA (ARS and NIFA), HHS (National Institutes of Coordinate research on issues of importance to the dairy National Dairy Research Program Health) and DOD industry National Dairy Research Program, Partnership to advance research on nutrition and food Dairy Management ARS/NIH/DoD processing issues of concern to the dairy industry. National Environmental Protection Act Interagency Working Group EPA Info sharing, training National Grape and Wine Initiative (participants include representatives from Identify industry needs that can be addressed through table grape, raisin, wine, agricultural research, identify resources for the research, and juice sectors of the coordinate and conduct the research, transfer new grape industry, ARS, NIFA, knowledge and technologies from researchers to the National Grape and Wine Initiative Extension, universities) industry National Meeting Program Planning Committee for Plant Breeder Planning 2009 annual meeting at the Monona Terrace Coordinating Committee Several Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin National Oat Improvement Committee Oat producers, industry Oat stakeholder group National Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee NIFA Support of plant breeding As directed by HSPD-9, ARS is lead institution to develop a National Plant Disease Recovery system to National Plant Disease Recovery ARS and Land Grant respond to intentional and/or natural plant disease System University Institutions, DHS outbreaks. National Plant Germplasm Communicates the value of the National Plant Coordinating Committee ARS, NIFA, ESCOP Germplasm System and strives to enhance its support National Science and Technology Chair – Ann Mills, Deputy Information exchange between Federal agencies on Council Under Secretary for NR&E ecosystem services research, programs, and projects. ARS with United Soybean Board, National Sunflower Association, National Canola Association, Peanut To conduct research in partnership with Universities to National Sclerotinia Intitiative Council address white mold related diseases and disorders. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 73 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose National Sorghum Producers Assoc./USDA Sorghum Germplasm Sorghum producers, Committee industry, researchers Sorghum stakeholders Coordinate public swine genomics research and develop National Swine Improvement Swine Industry and infrastructure to incorporate genomics information into Federation Universities the swine genetic evaluation system To develop a strategic plan for the continued growth and sustainability of vegetable crop production in the United National Vegetable Crops Initiative NIFA States. ARS provides information on the funding needs of the wheat quality labs to the National Improvement National Wheat Improvement Committee to be considered for recommendation to the Committee/National Association of Wheat industry, producers, National Association of Wheat Growers among their Wheat Growers researchers legislative priorities Provide advice to NIDDK director -ARS is one of three ex NIDDK Advisory Council NIDDK officio agencies represented (DoD and VA are others) NIFA NIFA Interagency Coordination NIFA Grant Award External Steering Committee Kansas State University Provides scientific and stakeholder input NIFA/ARS Biotech Risk Biosafety research grant management and ARS/NIFA Assessment Grants Program ARS, NIFA coordination NIFA-FSRRN USDA Share food safety information NIH Nutrition Coordinating Information sharing among NIH Institutes and other Committee HHS, NIH federal agencies conducting nutrition research. NIH Trans-Agency Complementary and Alternative Medicine Share information on complementary and alternative Coordinating Committee NCCAM medicine research in federal government To coordinate high impact research which is responsive Northwest Small Fruit Research Northwest Center for Small to the needs of the small fruit and nursery industries in Center Fruit Research the Northwest US NSABB (National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity) Interagency Coordination NSABB Personnel Reliability Review existing mechanisms and make Working Group NIH recommendations for improvements NSTC Subcommittee on Standards Interagency Develop standards for CBRN equipment Share nutrition information among HHS agencies -ARS Nutrition Coordinating Committee NIH is USDA representative Develop Plan for Managing Collections of OECD OECD Scientific Collections Activity OECD (International) Members Office of Dietary Supplements Inter- Information sharing among federal agencies conducting agency work group NIH nutrition research and dietary supplements research Office of Pesticide Programs EPA Development of research goals Information exchange between USDA agencies on Organic Working Group USDA organic programs. Coordination of plant genomics research among U.S. OSTP/IWG on Plant Genomes OSTP federal agencies Develop a Plan for Maintaining Federal Scientific OSTP/IWG on Scientific Collections OSTP Collections Overseas Biological Control Laboratories ARS Administration STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 74 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose To develop an integrated national system facilitated by Pest Information Platform for information technology to provide centralized, useful Education and Extension (PIPEE) tools with reliable information for IPM practitioners. Strategic Planning Committee NIFA, RMA Mapping of Soybean rust and soybean aphid Pierce's Disease Task Force Wine and Grape Industry Coordinate ARS Pierce's Disease Research The PBCC serves as a forum for issues and opportunities of national and global importance to the Plant Breeder Coordinating public and private sectors of the U.S. national plant Committee Several breeding effort. POC for ARS Veterinary Workforce Interagency (All govt Planning Committee agencies with Veterinarians) Interagency Coordination PROCINORTE ARS Scientific Diplomacy Program Planning Committee for Soybean Rust Symposium ARS Planning 2009 Soybean Rust Symposium Public Health Pesticide Committee CDC Coordination Provide support and recommendations to the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory committee on biosafety RAC Biosafety Working Group NIH issues Rift Valley Fever Coordination DoS and ARS Workshop Risk Assessment Consortium Federal Share food safety information SARE – Sustainable Agriculture, Research & Extension, National Coordinate and communicate SARE activities among Operations Committee NIFA regions and other Federal agencies. Develop a strategic research and technology Science and Technology task force development plan for aquaculture across federal of JSA JSA agencies Address the need for better tools, methods, and data for Science of Science Policy improving our understanding of the efficacy and impact Interagency Task Group OSTP, NSF of science and technology policy decisions. Scientific Committee for National Coordinate yearly scientific meetings in infectious Foundation for Infectious Diseases NFID disease Scientific Forum on Invasive Coordinate Research and Response to Invasive Species Species APHIS, FS of Forest Areas Screwworm Eradication Program APHIS Coordination of research and operations Develop a place-based decision tool that provides Office of Energy Policy and information about USDA programs and resources that New Uses, Office of the can be used by rural communities and investors to Secretary's Bioenergy Decision Tool Chief Economist develop renewable energy projects. Select Agent Tiering Committee Interagency Tier Select Agents Small & Beginning Farm Coordinators USDA coordinate USDA activities to meet group's needs South Atlantic Methyl Bromide Areawide project ARS, EPA, and industry To plan and prioritize research projects. Steering Committee for the Food Safety Research and Response Network USDA Facilitate university based research food safety USGS, Dept of Interior, Advisory Committee on Supports development of equipment, methodologies, and Water Information, Water calibration for the collection, analysis, interpretation, and Information Coordination interchange of fluvial-sediment data and related technical Subcommittee on Sedimentation Program information. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 75 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose Sub-PCC on International Bioengagement DoS, DoD, HHS, and USDA Interagency Coordination Sugarcane Research Planning Provides innovative solutions for sustainable sugarcane Taskforce ARS production. Technical Representative to Coordinate cattle genomics research and develop National Beef Cattle Evaluation Beef Industry and infrastructure to incorporate genomics information into Consortium Universities the beef cattle genetic evaluation system Technical Representative to National Pork Board Animal Science Swine Industry and Coordinate public swine research for traits relating to Committee Universities production efficiencies, pork quality and genomics Collaborate food safety Res; share food safety Tekes/Academy Finland USDA/Finland information Assess the current federal biosafety program, identifies Transfederal Biosafety Taskforce USDA-HHS gaps and solutions to improve the biosafety system USDA, wheat/barley U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative producers, millers, bakers Reduce wheat mycotoxins and scab losses Ug99 Wheat Stem Rust Action Team ARS, APHIS, NIFA, OPMP Coordinate Ug99 Wheat Stem Rust Response Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety UK-Food Standards USDA/UK information Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety UK-International Food Research USDA/UK information US Animal Health Association USAHA Share information on animal health and related fields US Group on Earth Observations Fed agency info sharing & coordination; US rep to (USGEO) CENR International GEO US/EC Taskforce on Biotechnology USDA, EU Coordinates US and EC Biotechnology Research USDA Barley Germplasm Committee USDA Barley researchers/industry USDA BioEnergy Science Team Provide science support by ARS, ERS, NASS, NIFA, FS, (BEST) REE, FS, AMS, OEPNU AMS, and OEPNU to other agencies in the Department. USDA Biotechnology Coordinating USDA (USDA Coordinator, Coordinate Plant and Animal Biotech Regulatory Policy Group Michael Schectman) and Research USDA Corn Germplasm Committee USDA Corn researchers/industry USDA Global Research Alliance Steering Committee USDA USDA Invasive Species Coordinator USDA (USDA Coordinator Committee Hilda Diaz-Soltero, Director) Coordinate USDA Invasive Species Response USDA Know Your Farmer Coordinate efforts to connect citizens with agriculture Committee USDA Dep. Sec. and nutrition Provide agency-level advisory to the USDA Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets and the Secretary, who co-chairs the interdepartmental Environmental Services Board. Establish guidelines and science-based methods to measure the environmental benefits from conservation USDA Market-Based Environmental and land management activities in support of emerging Stewardship Coordination Council USDA OSEC environmental services markets. USDA One Health Joint Working Group ARS, APHIS, FAS, NIFA Technical group to support One Health MAC Promote citizens' involvement with agriculture through USDA Peoples' Garden USDA the Peoples' Garden USDA Pollinators' Committee ARS Coordinating response to pollinators decline USDA Remote Sensing Coordination Committee Office of Chief Economist Information sharing among USDA agencies STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 76 ARS Inter-Agency Working Group Participation Group name Sponsoring Organization Brief purpose USDA Rice Germplasm Committee USDA Rice researchers/industry USDA Risk Assessment Group USDA Share risk assessment info among USDA agencies USDA Sorghum Germplasm Committee USDA Sorghum researchers/industry USDA Sustainable Development Council Chief Economist's Office Coordinate USDA-wide sustainable activities Coordinate USDA’s water activities to meet Secretary’s High Priority Performance Goals for Water USDA Water Team USDA Chair - Ann Mills, Deputy Under Secretary for NR&E USDA Wheat Germplasm Committee USDA Wheat researchers/industry Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety USDA-ARS-FDA USDA information Collaborate on food safety research; share food safety USDA-ARS-FSIS USDA information USDA-ARS-NIFA USDA Share food safety information Committee on Environmental & Natural Advises Executive Office on science and technology to USDA-wide committee Resources (NSTC) support water availability US-EC Biotechnology Task Force OSTP Foster US-EC science collaborations USGEO Architecture & Data Mgmt Sub Group Facilitate data sharing among agencies & others USGEO Policy Sub Group CENR Develop US earth observations policy USGEO Strategic Assessments Sub Assess & prioritize US earth observation needs (air, land, Group CENR sea) OEM has a unique role in the federal government's efforts to develop uniform standards and market Various committees/ task groups of infrastructure that will facilitate market-based approaches Office of Environmental Markets USDA to agriculture, forest, and rangeland conservation. West Coast Methyl Bromide Areawide project ARS, EPA, and industry To plan and prioritize research projects. Working Group within the risk assessment consortium on Produce recommendations for federal agencies for nanotechnology IRAC research and policy Appendix C: Strategic Consultations STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY 2012 - 2017 77