The Economic Research Service (ERS) is a research agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that conducts a wide range of research activities related to agriculture, food, and rural development. The ERS was established in 1961, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The mission of the ERS is to inform and enhance public and private decision making on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development. To achieve this mission, the ERS conducts research on a variety of topics, including agricultural productivity, global food markets, rural communities, and natural resource management, among others. The agency also provides technical assistance and support to policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders, and works to disseminate its research findings through a variety of channels, including reports, presentations, and online resources.
The ERS works closely with a number of other organizations, including other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private sector partners, in order to advance its research objectives. It is supported by a number of funding sources, including the USDA, other federal agencies, and private foundations.