Resource Economics, Analysis and Policy (REAP)

DivisionJanet Perry, Director

Resource Economic, Analysis and Policy (REAP) Division

Janet Perry, Division DirectorVelma Brooks, Administrative Assistant

Economics: James RoweRichard FarnsworthNoel GollehonMark PetersFelix SpinelliKalven TriceMark Xu

Data and Information:Letitia (Tish) ToomerEric BarnesLynn KnightLeroy Hall

Policy:Phil BuchanJuliette WhiteAnetra HarborVerna Jones

REAP: An Outside View

ProgramAnalysts

Economists

Economists

ResourceEconomists

ResourceEconomists

Ag. Economists

Policy Analysts

MgmtAnalysts

Interdisciplinary Group of Analysts

Mgmt

Program

Economics

Policy

REAP Objective

Analyze NRCS programs, regulations and policies to: ◦Identify their economic impacts;◦Standardize agency data and create analytical products;

◦Improve regulatory and policy processes and coordinate continuous review to ensure that policy and regulations are kept current.

Priorities for 2011

Database integration and analysis

Improvements to policy and rule making

CMT evaluation/ CSP audit

Workload Data Collection and Analysis (ABC)

Practice payment schedule review and standardization

Integration of CEAP data into economic analysis

P&G (water)

Preparation for Farm Bill

REAP Organizational Structure

Data and Information

Resource Economics and Analysis Policy

NRCS Programs

REAP Organizational Structure

•Bench-marking•Analyzes costs

and benefits•Provides

guidelines (best practices)

•Support for the Field

Resource Economics

and Analysis

REAP Activities: Farm Bill Analyses

Benefits and costs of regulations and programsBenefit-Cost Analyses

Cost-Effectiveness Analyses

Comparison of base scenario

with alternative scenarios

Principles and Guidelines (P&G)

REAP Activities: Payment Schedules

Applying economics to improve existing programs

Additionality

P&G

Foregone income

Initiatives

REAP Activities: Payment Schedules

Applying economics to improve existing programs

Payment Schedules Consistency

Payment Schedules Updates

Payment Schedules Benefits and Analyses

REAP Organizational Structure

•Policy and rule making process for Farm Bill programs

•Guidance for policy and rule making development

•Policy and rule making quality assurance

Policy

Policy

Policy Working Group will develop a framework for analyzing policy and rule-making issues

Rules and Regulations Working Group will develop an implementation plan for Farm Bill policy analysis

Communicate findings and recommendations through notices, emails, and briefings

REAP Organizational Structure

•Provide a solid and consistent source•Regular reports•Special reports• “Off-the shelf” analysis and data

Data and Information

Data and Information Group

Best management practices for data management and dissemination (SOPs) Relevant subject matter experts identified

Critical data source identified and documented

Data and assumptions are properly cited so that “back-tracking” can be performed

Data and Information Group

Communicate findings and results Program statistics Data requests (More than 150 so far, mostly

from Legis Affairs and stakeholders) “State of the Program” reports Other special reports as requested

◦ALL REPORTS WILL INVOLVEPROGRAM STAFF

REAP Organizational Structure

Data and Information

Resource Economics and

AnalysisPolicy

NRCS Programs

Regular reports

Special reports

Reports and

analysis