Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
The ERS had about 224 active projects in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal year 2006, ERS staff responded to about 50,000 requests for economic information and published about 170 reports of economic analysis and research. That does not include unpublished staff analysis that were used to address specific policy questions.
Uses and Use Restrictions
ERS performs economic research and analyses related to U. S. and world agriculture that addresses a multitude of economic concerns and decision making needs of Federal, State, and local governments, farmers, farm organizations, farm suppliers, marketers, processors, and consumers.
There are no restrictions on the use of ERS produced information.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Any individual or organization in the U.S.
and U.S.
Territories is eligible to receive the popular or technical research publications that convey the research results, although there may be a fee.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any individual or organization in the U.S. and U.S. Territories is eligible to receive the popular or technical research publications that convey the research results, although there may be a fee.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Requests for technical information may be made to the Chief, Publishing and Communications Branch, ERS, 1800 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-5831.
Award Procedures
None.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
FY 2006 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Public Law 109-97, 7 U.S.C. 292, 411, 427, 1441a, 1621-1627, 1704, 1761-68, 2201, 2202, 3103, 3291, 3311, 3504; 22 U.S.C. 3101; 42 U.S.C. 1891-93; 44 U.S.C. 3501-11; 50 U.S.C. 2061 et seq, 2251 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1701-6-1-352.
Obigations
FY 07 $84,222,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.(Note: Includes reimbursable and all obligations, including those from nonfederal funding).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Research results are available in the agency's publications and periodicals, which can be purchased through the National Technical Information Service (1-800) 999-6779). Reports are also available on the ERS website: http://www.ers.usda.gov. Computerized bibliographic data are accessible through AG-ECON and AGRICOLA. For additional information contact the Chief, Publishing and Communications Branch, ERS, USDA, 1800 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-5831. Telephone: (202) 694-5120.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Director, Extramural Agreement Division, ARS, Room 5601, Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5110, Beltsville, MD 20705-5110. Telephone: (301) 504-1147.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
Vandana Shiva, a scientist and environmentalist known for her activism against GMOs, globalization, and patents on seeds and traditional foods, co-founded Navdanya.