1. The Economic Research Service as a Resource for Policymakers Keith Collins USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum February 25, 2011

2. Topics ERS connection to policy Resources for policymakers Looking to the future

3. What ERS is not... A program agency – No transfer payments/subsidies – No loans A regulatory agency – No rules and restrictions on businesses or the public A product marketer to the public – No retail distribution of products or services A research agency with many U.S. labs and grants So, how has ERS made it for 50 years?

4. ERS vitally connected to the well- being of farm and rural people and food consumers ERS Mission: “... to anticipate economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development, and conduct economic research that broadly and specifically informs public program and policy decisions.”

5. Persistence of Existence is not Easy Federal budget problems Less support for public research Questions over ERS effectiveness Operating in a political environment User demands and the uncertainty of research

6. ERS: “Anticipating” needs of changing users with shifting priorities... Come on Kitty, You think data users know what they really need??

7. Foundations for sound economic decisionmaking Data

8. Foundations for sound economic decisionmaking Data Applied Analysis

9. Foundations for sound economic decisionmaking Data Applied Analysis Communication

10. Key: Understanding and Managing RISK Potential hazards to the food & ag economy: – Macroeconomics – Natural disasters – Person-made disasters – Quantity/quality of inputs – Trade policy – Energy policy – Climate policy – Food policy – Technology policy – Environmental policy Symptoms of hazards: – Changes in Outputs/Quality/Prices/Inputs/Costs/Loss of Markets/Environmental Quality/Income & Wealth/Health