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ARS is primarily a research agency that maintains a network of
laboratories and offices staffed by federal employees. Excluding
facilities, the ARS has an annual budget of ≈ $1.123 billion, of
which 93% is spent internally. Since it is a scientific research
agency, there are no requirements for ARS employees to assume
extension (technology transfer) or higher education
responsibilities. |
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CSREES is the agency that manages the Federal-State and
Federal-Tribal Partnerships in food and agricultural research,
extension, and teaching. CSREES has an annual budget of ≈ $1.199
billion, of which 6% is spent internally. Many CSREES programs
integrate research with extension and higher education and
land-grant employees supported through the Federal-State
Partnership often hold joint research, extension, and/or academic
appointments. |
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ERS is an in-house USDA research agency with most personnel
located in Washington, DC. This agency has an annual budget of ≈
$75 million, of which 90% is spent internally. |
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USFS R&D is one of three principal divisions of the U.S. Forest
Service. USFS R&D maintains a network of labs and offices staffed
with federal employees. USFS R&D has an annual budget of ≈ $277
million, of which 86% is spent internally. Extension and higher
education requirements are also minimal for USFS R&D employees. |
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The CREATE-21 proposal envisions integration of
these four agencies, including their functions, personnel, programs
and activities within a new “National Institute.” |
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Although the Institute will be an independent
agency reporting directly to the Secretary of Agriculture, it will
incorporate the best elements of the existing USDA organizations: |
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The Institute will manage a broad and integrated portfolio of
programs to be organized by problem/solution areas and funding
mechanisms. |
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“Competitive” programs will build upon the Institute’s
capabilities – both within USDA and the Partnerships – to help
solve problems of pressing multistate, national, or international
significance. (These programs will be open to all qualified
universities/investigators.) |
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“Capacity” programs will maintain and expand the intramural
research capability within USDA (e.g. ARS, ERS, and USFS R&D) and
the research, extension, education, and international capability
of the Federal-State and Federal-Tribal Partnerships. |
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By continuing appropriate state matching
requirements in such key federal statutes as the Hatch Act of 1887,
the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962, the
Evans-Allen Act, and 1890s Extension, scarce federal resources will
leverage other funds. And, by reducing program duplication, limited
federal resources will be stretched further still. |
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The Institute will be guided by a diverse
National Stakeholder Advisory Council and there will be new
mechanisms for input from local, state, tribal, and regional
stakeholder groups as to the immediate, emerging, and future needs
for research, extension, education, and international programs. |
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In addition, the Institute will build upon one
of the great strengths of the Federal-State and Federal-Tribal
Partnerships, namely the tight integration of research with
extension and teaching. |
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CREATE-21 envisions that the National Institute
will initially be organized around six critical problem-solution
areas: |
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Increase economic opportunities in agriculture and natural
resources. |
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Improve human nutrition and health. |
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Support rural and urban community development. |
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Protect America’s natural resource base and environment. |
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Enhance safety and security of U.S. agriculture and food supply. |
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Ensure family, youth, and community success. |
