Workshop Objectives and Expected Outcomes

 

Assessment and Customer/Stakeholder Workshop

 ARS National Program 301

Plant, Microbial, & Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics & Genetic Improvement

BWI Airport Marriott Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland

October 31-November 2, 2005

 

 

Objectives of the Workshop:

 

(1)   Develop an understanding of the relevance, quality, and overall current or projected impact of research performed by National Program 301 during the past 5 years. [all participants]

 

(2)   Identify strengths and weaknesses of the National Program structure and activities, and develop suggestions for improvement for the next 5 years. [peers, customers, stakeholders, partners].

 

(3)   Identify research needs of customers, stakeholders, and partners, and describe some emerging opportunities for research progress for the next 5 years. [peers, customers, stakeholders, partners].

 

(4)   Begin developing an action plan by which ARS will incorporate the evaluations of the first program cycle and the perceived customer/stakeholder needs into the NP301 programmatic structure for the next 5 years. [ARS participants]

 

Expected Outcomes (by the end of the workshop):

 

(1)   An understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of ARS’ Plant, Microbial, & Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics & Genetic Improvement program during the past 5 years.

 

(2)   An awareness of the current needs of ARS customers, stakeholders, and partners.

 

(3)   Identification of changes to the research program that will strengthen it, enable it to address high-priority needs, and enhance its impact on agriculture during the next 5 years.

 

(4)   Appointment of a team of ARS scientists to draft the next Action Plan for NP301  Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement.