The Agricultural Research Service is an agency within the U. S. Department of Agriculture that provides the means for solving food and farm problems. Our research assures that Americans have the best quality and supply of food and fiber (leather, cotton, wool, timber). The ARS mission is to plan, develop and continue research for new knowledge and technologies, including six research objectives. All the information available through the ARS National visitor Center is organized by objectives:

1. Natural Resources: Managing and conserving the nation's soil and water resources for a stable and productive agriculture.

2. Plant Science: Maintaining and increasing the quality, resistance to disease, and productivity of crop plants.

3. Animal Science: Increasing the health and productivity of animals and the quality of animal products.

4. New Uses for Farm Commodities: Finding environmentally sound and consumer-safe processes. Helping expand domestic and global markets for U.S. industry by developing value-added food and nonfood products, such as cheeses, dried foods, and special fabrics.

5. Nutrition: Promoting the best human health and well-being through improved nutrition.

6. Data Systems: Combining scientific knowledge from objectives one through five into special databases or systems approaches to transfer agricultural production, processing and marketing technology to users.

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