The USDA is seeking comments from the public on its proposed strategic goals and planning priorities for climate change research, education and outreach programs. The goals for this plan are to:

• Understand the effects of climate change on natural and managed ecosystems
  
• Develop knowledge and tools to enable adaptation to climate change and improve the resilience of natural and managed ecosystems
  
• Develop knowledge and tools to reduce the contribution of agriculture, forestry and other land management practices to the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
  
• Deliver climate change science and technology to USDA agencies, stakeholders and collaborators for improved decision making.

You can read more detail and specific priority areas in each of these goals in the announcement in the Federal Register here.

Comments are due by September 19, 2008. The USDA will publish the final version of its strategic plan on their website.