Overview

Scientific Discoveries highlights the national and international impact of the Agricultural Research Service's research on agriculture from the farmer's field to the consumer's table.

The featured accomplishments on this site showcase ground-breaking scientists finding innovative solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. To get started, choose one of ARS's four National Program Areas (in Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality, Animal Production and Protection, Crop Production and Protection, and Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems) or explore our five research regions and take a look across the country to see what ARS scientists are doing to enrich our lives.

Welcome

Welcome to Scientific Discoveries 2024! This has been a banner year for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, as we have made major progress in addressing some of agriculture’s biggest challenges. This includes fighting citrus greening disease, which has devastated citrus production in Florida and threatens growers in nearby states. Our researchers developed a new technology that could one day aid citrus trees in healing themselves from this disease. This could be game changer for the citrus industry,

Here at ARS, we continue to research ways to ensure that American families have a safe, nutritious food supply. In this edition, you’ll learn how researchers are developing new, accurate methods to detect levels of forever chemicals in our foods. Our scientists also found that eating leafy green vegetables could support healthy brain function.

ARS researchers use state-of-the-art technology to advance scientific improvements in agriculture. Read how ARS scientists are using biocontrol and other innovative methods, including silicon, to protect crops from plant diseases and insects. Learn how we’re using spatial data to track and monitor nitrate losses from farms that flow into streams and rivers.

Improving animal health is a primary focus here at ARS. Our researchers developed new methods for treating digital dermatitis, a painful hoof disease in cattle, and we gained access to never before identified regions of food animal genomes, which could lead to improvements in animal health.

I applaud our dedicated, hard-working researchers and support staff who remain agile, are innovative, and who ensure their work is relevant to the American people, from farm to plate. Please take a minute to browse our distinguished awards section, to learn more about some of our highly acclaimed researchers.

I also want to thank our partners, from academia to the farmland, who collaborate with us on these impactful projects. It is through these partnerships that we deliver real results that benefit not only the agricultural industry, but every family in America.

Simon Liu
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service