The needs for integration; Opportinities for integration; The will to integrate.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested that the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of the National Research Council (NRC) convene a panel of experts to examine whether publicly funded agricultural research has influenced the structure of U.S. agriculture and, if so, how. The Committee to Review the Role of Publicly Funded Agricultural Research on the Structure of U.S. Agriculture was asked to assess the role of public-sector agricultural research on changes in the size and numbers of farms, with particular emphasis on the evolution of very-large-scale operations.

Three case studies; Mechanisms linking on-farm research and extension; General lessons.

This document contains transcripts of testimony and prepared testimony from 93 witnesses who testified at or submitted statements to a Congressional hearing on agricultural research, education, and extension programs. Witnesses included U.S. representatives, administrators of colleges of agriculture in universities, representatives of Farm Bureaus, and representatives of various groups in the agricultural industry. The hearings revolved around a broad range of issues concerning agriculture, with emphasis on the benefits it has produced and the need to continue it and fund it as well as possible. Witnesses also noted the benefits to youth of participation in agricultural youth groups and the need to update techniques, research methodology, and teaching methods to use resources more effectively. (KC)