Frontiers in Agricultural Research : Food, Health, Environment, and Communities

This report is a congressionally mandated review of the US Department of Agriculture's Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, the main engine of publicly funded agricultural research in the United States. A changing social and scientific context of agriculture requires a new vision of agricultural research—one that will support agriculture as a positive economic, social, and environmental force. REE is uniquely positioned to advance new research frontiers in environment, public health, and rural communities. The report recommends that REE be more anticipatory and strategic in its use of limited resources and guide and champion new directions in research. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Vision and Leadership2. The US Department of Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area3. Research Frontiers4. Setting the Research Stategy5. Collaboration6. Quality and Impact Assurance in the REE Agencies7. REE Capacity8. CodaAppendix A: S.1150.1998. Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998Appendix B: Subcommittee Statements of TaskAppendix C: A National Research Council Public WorkshopAppendix D: REE Administrator InterviewsAppendix E: Action-Agency Administrator InterviewsAppendix F: Agricultural-Research FundingAppendix G: REE Dissemination and Outreach EffortsAbout the AuthorsAbout the Subcommittees