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 Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Vision and Leadership
2. The US Department of Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area
3. Research Frontiers
4. Setting the Research Stategy
5. Collaboration
6. Quality and Impact Assurance in the REE Agencies
7. REE Capacity
8. Coda
Appendix A: S.1150.1998. Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998
Appendix B: Subcommittee Statements of Task
Appendix C: A National Research Council Public Workshop
Appendix D: REE Administrator Interviews
Appendix E: Action-Agency Administrator Interviews
Appendix F: Agricultural-Research Funding
Appendix G: REE Dissemination and Outreach Efforts
About the Authors
About the Subcommittees