House Ag Committee holds hearing on USDA farm bill research programs

The U.S. House Ag Committee held a hearing to discuss multiple aspects of USDA Farm Bill Research Programs. Current research programs were discussed such as the Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program and climate change initiatives. The need for hemp research was also discussed.

Most recently, agriculture research through USDA and cooperators has allowed the eradication of plum pox disease. This disease impacts stone fruit, such as plums and peaches. The U.S. is the first country known to eradicate the disease, which was first detected in Pennsylvania in 1999.

Regarding climate initiatives, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, shared carbon sequestration research being done in his district at the University of Illinois and Richland Community College. Davis also asked about Extension funding opportunities in the future.

Concerns were also shared about the reallocation of National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Economic Research Service (ERS) employees to the Kansas City Region. Currently, 214 positions are vacant at ERS and 264 positions are vacant at NIFA.

Scott Hutchins, deputy undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics, noted the headquarters for both agencies are still located in Washington, D.C. For ERS specifically, one-third of the agency will be staying in D.C. The move was implemented to allow the agencies to be closer to customers, Hutchins noted.

Both agencies are working to fill these positions through online job postings and upcoming career fairs.

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Washington, also brought up the America Grows Act, which he introduced in conjunction with Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, and Jimmy Panetta, D-California. This legislation would authorize a 5% annual funding increase during the next five years at USDA. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, has also introduced companion legislation.

Overall, there was general agreement that funding for agriculture research is crucial to the longevity of the industry.

"Strong investments in public agriculture research have historically allowed our farmers, ranchers and rural communities to remain competitive and increase their overall productivity," said U.S. Rep. Stacey Plaskett, D-U.S. Virgin Islands, chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research. "These investments are more critical now than ever with the agriculture sector attempting to adapt to a changing climate and manage for increasingly volatile markets."