USDA Agricultural Research Service

One week to go until the Great American State Fair 🎡!

USDA is excited to join the celebration and welcome visitors to our pavilion on the National Mall for a celebration of America’s agriculture and the communities that keep our nation strong.

Did you know that much like humans, bees🐝also need a balance of proteins and lipids to maintain good health? Check out this research about nurse bees and their pollinating habits. https://aglab.ars.usda.gov/fuel-your-curiosity/insects/balanced-diet-honey-bees

In , ARS researchers have developed a new initiative – Circular Economy that Reimagines Corn Agriculture or CERCA, to help U.S. farmers boost crop yields, while lowering costs and reducing impact to the surrounding environment. Check out this advancement in the genetics of corn at: https://scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-discoveries/maize-ing-change-cerca-aims-transform-corn-agriculture

Can you hear these words from your childhood?
It's ! 🥕🥬🌽
Thank you to U.S. farmers and growers for bringing healthy, vibrant vegetables to our tables.

These Beans are Popping! Beans are fiber rich and a great source of protein -- but can they also be a tasty snack?
ARS scientists say the answer is “yes!” They partnered with to bring “Popping Beans,” a type of Ñuña bean, to market as a grab-n-go snack -- and a gluten-free flour alternative for baking. https://loom.ly/pF_Ymsg

On , take time to capture the great outdoors!

Citizen Science! -- a new practical way for researchers to gather real-world data from multiple regions and time periods with the help of private citizens. With AI technology now available, large quantities of data from the public can be readily used by ARS researchers to find solutions for agricultural issues. For example, ARS researchers are working to harness citizen science with AI to better understand perennial grass (like those pictured) in real-world environments. https://scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/tellus/stories/articles/combining-citizen-science-and-ai-better-understand-agriculture

Big News for Peanut Farmers! ARS technology is now able to measure moisture for inshell peanuts containing foreign material. This process will save precious time and resources for America's peanut farmers. https://scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/tellus/stories/articles/nutshell-microwave-sensors-monitor-peanut-moisture-and-other-attributes