USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the chief in-house scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. Our core values include scientific excellence, creativity, innovation, integrity, leadership, collaboration, accountability, transparency, diversity, respect, inclusiveness, and public service. These values underpin ARS' commitment to delivering cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. Research stations and biological collections located across the United States and Puerto Rico. ARS' collections hold living and preserved specimens collected from all over the world. Animal, bacterial, fungal, and plant collections, as well as soil and geological samples.