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Robert Fireovid,
robert.fireovid@ars.usda.gov, National Program Staff, USDA-ARS, 5601
Sunnyside Avenue, GWCC 4-2176, Beltsville, MD 20705-5138
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| The Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the in-house
research agency of USDA, conducts research to develop solutions to
agricultural problems of high national priority. This includes
fundamental, long-term, high-risk research as well as more applied,
focused, problem-solving research. Research related to biobased products
focuses on developing feedstocks and industrial products (including
biofuels and bioenergy) that expand markets for agricultural materials,
replace imports and petroleum-based products, and offer opportunities to
meet environmental needs. New and advanced technologies are developed,
modified, and utilized to convert plant and animal commodities and
by-products to new products. This includes development of energy crops
as well as new crops to meet niche markets, such as natural products for
use as nutriceuticals, biopesticides, and other high-value materials.
ARS research must also be responsive to consumer demands for
high-quality, safe products and to government and consumer pressures
providing products that are environmentally-friendly and are produced
using processes that are not harmful to people, animals, and the
environment. Successful completion of these goals will allow ARS to
contribute to a sustainable and profitable agricultural production
system. |