We are publically accountable for our fiscal and research-program plans, practices and other responsibilities. ARS and other federal agencies develop 5-year strategic plans and annual performance plans and reports, as required by the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

• Our strategic plan details our mission and sets out our broad goals and objectives. It also presents measurable performance goals. The 2003-2007 plan will soon be on our web site. (ARS Strategic Plan 1997-2002 [HTML, PDF); USDA Strategic Plan)
• The annual performance plan contains several hundred milestones for accomplishments we anticipate in the following two or three fiscal years. The plan identifies  impacts of the accomplishments or, conversely, explains why a milestone was not reached. (2002 & 2003 Performance Plan)

In addition to reports required by GPRA, we annually document the progress in each of our research projects and National Programs. Links to these reports are in the Research section of our web site.