A Plant Breeder

1
A Plant Breeders Guide to CSREES, or How to
get credit and have effective input, and why it
matters Ann Marie Thro, 202 401 6702,
athro_at_csrees.usda.gov
CSREESs mission is to advance knowledge for the
benefit of agriculture, the environment, human
health and well-being, and communities. CSREES
supports research, education, and extension
programs in the Land-Grant University System and
other partner organizations, via funding and
leadership. Your informed involvement can
strengthen your CSREES programs.
Get recognition How many plant breeding projects are there? What are they doing? How much is invested in public plant breeding through CSREES? CRIS reports provide a database for answering such questions. But an accurate computer search for plant breeding is elusive!s Why is it hard to find plant breeding? Because -CRIS codes used in CSREES data bases indicate knowledge areas, not disciplines or methods (see Table 1). As a result, any search that includes plant breeding will also include projects in, e.g., plant genomics, genetics, or genetic mechanisms and/or microbial or insect genetics. Suggested solution Include KA 202 on plant breeding projects. Rationale All plant breeding is a source of characterized genetic resources consequently, all plant breeding has a KA 202 component. In practice, using KA 202 with appropriate additional codes (e.g., KA 203, 204, 212, or etc.) is the best currently-available way to signal plant breeding projects in CSREES databases. Use of KA 202 does still confound breeding with plant genetic resources research per se, but minimizes confounding with plant genomics or microbial or insect genetics.
Get credit How does plant breeding research rate? Compared to other CSREES-funded work? Compared to other federal-funded programs? Answer only moderately effective !?! (see Table 2, last row, Econ. Opportunities) Is it our work? Or is it our reporting? What are strategies for strong reporting ??? Reporting accomplishments and outputs If you were buying your program, what would you pay for? If you were Homeland Security, what would you look for? Report all that adds value First, new varieties. Also New models, new methods New experimental populations New advanced populations, new elite lines New recombinations (crosses) . . . etc. Date by specific year (e.g. avoid recent). Agency progress reviews must ignore results not specific by year! Reporting Impacts and Outcomes Report area planted, , new products, market success, etc. In a historically continuous program, report current impacts from long-term research, e.g. if a cross made by this program a decade ago saved the crop this year, the rescue is an impact this year. Report via popular-style impact statements Treat impact statements as mini-PR opportunities Impact statements and non-tech summaries are quoted! Style manual examples airline magazines USA Today Tell the general reader why your work is in their interest Use same popular style for non-tech summaries (also mini-PR) Give CSREES credit, too! Acknowledgement of CSREES funding is critical for recognition of the public value of these funding programs. In manuscripts, presentations, displays, and press releases, acknowledge CSREES support! Example This project was supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA, program--e.g., Hatch, NRI, other , proj..
Get attention Some ways to provide effective input to CSREES Contribute stakeholder input regularly on Requests for Applications (RFAs) Participate as a reviewer in proposal review panels Know the federal regulations governing CSREES programs Stakeholder input on RFAs All CSREES RFAs, including NRI, contain a paragraph like this CSREES requests stakeholder input from any interested party for use in development of the next RFA for this program. Comments will be used to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Participate on review panels To be considered as a potential reviewer, send a message with your contact information and 4-5 expertise keywords to newreviewer_at_csrees.usda.gov. Follow up with national program leaders! Name and email of the NPL is listed in the RFAs at www..csrees.usda.gov gtFunding Opportunities Know the regulations Laws and regulations governing CSREES funding programs are posted at www.csrees.usda.gov/offices/legis/legis_statutes.html and www.csrees.usda.gov/about/pdfs/funding_mechanisms.pdf Understanding the regulations helps target your comments to areas where agency response is possible. Avoids waste of effort on comments that go beyond what the agency can do.
Table 2. U.S. Office of Management and Budget
ratings for CSREES programs
Table 1. Current Research Information System
(CRIS) reporting codes

• Conclude
• Knowledge about CSREES allows more effective
  action in support of ? maximum visibility and
  recognition for your activities
• a strong future for your CSREES programs and, ?
  informed agency decisions regarding limited
  funds.
• Get recognition and credit Use codes and
  reporting strategically for strong presentation
  of results
• Get attention Have effective input
• Respond via stakeholder comments to
  RFAs
• Participate on review panels
• Know the authorizing legislation
• Integrate REE research - education - extension

Get integrated Bring together the components of the agricultural knowledge system -- research, education, and extension In integrated projects to solve problems and create opportunities A new breed CSREES integrated projects. A percentage of certain NRI and other programs is authorized and encouraged for projects that integrate research, education, and extension (REE). Integrated projects are new, not yet familiar to many stakeholders who could develop outstanding integrated projects and/or serve as reviewers. Check out examples at www.csrees.gov gtFunding opportunities gtIntegrated projects. Learn more in SESSION 128, Tues, 1 pm, La Louisianne

CRIS Knowledge Area (KA) codes include
(examples)  201 Plant genomics, genetics,
and/or genetic mechanisms 202  Plant genetic
resources collection, preservation,
characterization 203 Plant biological efficiency
and abiotic stresses affecting plants 204 Plant
product quality and utility (pre-harvest) 211
Insects, mites, and other arthropods affecting
plants 212 Pathogens and nematodes affecting
plants 213 Weeds affecting plants 214
Vertebrates, mollusks, and other pests affecting
plants 215 Biological control of pests affecting
plants 216 Integrated pest management
systems 502 New and improved food products 511
New and improved non-food products and
processes 701 Nutrient composition of food 903
Communication, education, information delivery
Bottom line No code for plant
breeding