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**RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS**

***Background***

Title VII of the 2002 farm bill is commonly referred to as the Research
Title. Research, education, and extension activities at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) are concentrated within the Research,
Education, and Economics (REE) mission area.

USDA-REE supports basic and applied research, economics, and statistics,
as well as higher education and extension. Through the Agricultural
Research Service; the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; the Economic Research Service; and the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, REE provides research, outreach,
analysis, and data to benefit consumers and promote agricultural
prosperity and sustainable agricultural practices and meet the needs of
the USDA regulatory and technical assistance agencies. Appropriations
for REE in 2005 totaled \$2.7 billion.

[Agricultural Research Service (ARS)]{.underline}

ARS is the [USDA's](http://www.usda.gov/) chief scientific *intramural*
research agency. ARS operates at about 100 research locations across the
country and abroad. ARS received total discretionary appropriations of
about \$1.3 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2005.

The Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1862, which established the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, also authorizes USDA to perform research
in agricultural matters. The Organic Act also provides ARS with
permanent authority. ARS has a broad mandate to perform agricultural
research as provided in the Bankhead-Jones Act and the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946. Several other statutes throughout the years have
expanded the authority of ARS. One notable example is the Federal
Technology Transfer Act of 1986, which authorized the Cooperative
Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) program, the primary tool
linking ARS and industry researchers.

[Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES)]{.underline}

CSREES has the primary responsibility within USDA to provide
*extramural* research, education, and extension conducted in partnership
with State land-grant universities (LGUs) and other institutions
throughout the country. FY 2005 funding for CSREES totaled \$1.2
billion.

The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 merged the
former Cooperative State Research Service and the former Extension
Service into a single agency---CSREES. The agency operates numerous
programs under more than 100 specific authorities contained in 15
separate statutes. The most significant of these statutes are the First
Morrill Act of 1862; the Hatch Act of 1887; the Second Morrill Act of
1890; the Smith-Lever Act of 1914; the Cooperative Forestry Research Act
of 1962; the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977; the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994; the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of
1998; and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

[Economic Research Service (ERS)]{.underline}

ERS is the main source of economic research and information for USDA. In
1961, ERS was established from components of the former Bureau of
Agricultural Economics (BAE) principally under the authority of the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. In FY 2005, ERS was appropriated
\$74.2 million.

[National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)]{.underline}

NASS is the primary USDA statistical agency. USDA published its first
crop report in 1863 and further strengthened this responsibility in 1905
by creating the Crop Reporting Board, now known as the Agricultural
Statistics Board (ASB). Each year, NASS conducts surveys and prepares
hundreds of reports covering virtually every facet of U.S. agriculture,
including production and supplies of food and fiber, prices paid and
received by farmers, farm labor and wages, farm income and finances,
chemical use, rural development, and many other aspects of the industry.
These responsibilities were authorized in the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946.

NASS is also responsible for conducting the Census of Agriculture every
5 years. The Census of Agriculture provides comprehensive, county-level
information about the Nation's agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is
authorized under the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997. NASS was funded
at about \$128.4 million in FY 2005.

[Youth Development]{.underline}

USDA's Youth Development activities are also important to rural America.
The National 4-H program is administered nationally by USDA-CSREES in
cooperation with the State Cooperative Extension Service programs across
the country. The National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of
America) and the vocational education program are authorized by the
Perkins Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The
4-H program reaches 7 million youths each year, with 55 percent of 4-H
members residing in urban and suburban areas. FFA membership totals
450,000 nationally and includes successful production agriculture and
urban and suburban programs.

***General Opinions Expressed***

[Research Funding]{.underline}

-   Several commenters focused on the fact that federally funded
    research has remained flat or declined over the years. It was
    suggested that much more funding needs to be put into basic and
    applied research that is impartial and that holds promise for safe,
    wholesome, and better quality agricultural products, including
    research into conservation and the environment.

-   Several commenters discussed the need to do research into products
    and processes for the production of value-added products, including
    market research, which should not be examined separately.

-   Many commenters noted that technology research and development (R&D)
    are the keys to the future success of U.S. agriculture, and ARS
    research is needed to develop efficient technologies for
    agricultural products.

-   Many commenters stated that research, extension, and education are
    equally important to meeting the full range of challenges and
    opportunities that the U.S. food and agriculture sector face in the
    coming years, and that publicly financed research, extension, and
    education are necessary complements to private sector research.

-   Several commenters noted that producers rely on R&D activities and
    access to new markets to stay competitive, so there is a need to
    keep research in the public domain where it can be licensed to
    companies for use in the United States---with particular attention
    to research for new crops and systems to create niche markets.

-   A few commenters noted that more research needs to be conducted on
    crops beneficial to small and medium-sized farms.

-   Several people commented that product development, marketing, and
    research-related issues are private market functions and
    market-driven issues, and should not be funded by the Federal
    Government.

-   Some commenters noted that taxpayers should not be subsidizing
    research that mainly benefits large corporations.

-   Some commenters noted that better research coordination is needed to
    ensure researchers are not "reinventing the wheel."

-   Several commenters expressed support for continuing research into
    innovative crop management techniques and practices that contribute
    to the conservation of the environment and protect crops.

## 

[Formula Funds]{.underline}

-   Numerous commenters expressed strong support for maintaining and/or
    increasing Federal formula funds that support both research and
    extension activities at land-grant universities.

-   Many comments from producers, farm groups, and university
    representatives stated that these funds are critical to the function
    of land-grant universities and the services they provide.

-   Formula funds are important to leverage additional funds from
    non-Federal sources; they support research programs and
    infrastructure with long-term planning horizons that do not fit into
    short-term competitive grant cycles; this infrastructure is often
    critical to the universities' ability to secure short-term
    competitive grants; and maintenance of this broad infrastructure is
    a form of "emergency preparedness" that allows universities the
    flexibility to respond quickly when needed.

-   Several commenters expressed concern that a shift from formula funds
    to competitive grant programs would lead to less focus on applied
    research and on commodities such as minor crops that are locally
    significant but that may not fit national priorities.

-   Several commenters stated that formula funds help ensure there are
    independent third-party evaluators who can help farmers assess new
    technologies.

-   Several commenters also stated that a reduction in formula funds for
    research would have a negative impact on university teaching and
    extension programs.

    [Competitive Grant Programs]{.underline}

-   Numerous commenters expressed strong support for specific
    competitive grant programs within CSREES.

-   A few commenters specifically recommended competitive grants as the
    best general method for funding research, although a similar number
    were critical of competitive grants as a general funding model.

-   Several commenters suggested that the proposed National Institute
    for Food and Agriculture be implemented as a merit-based competitive
    grant program to fund discovery-based interdisciplinary research in
    critical areas of agriculture, health, sustainability, and other
    important fields.

-   A number of commenters specifically supported the National Research
    Initiative (NRI).

-   Many commenters specifically supported increased funding for the
    Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) and
    specifically praised the involvement of researchers, educators, and
    producers in the program. A number of commenters supported making
    marketing, product development, and value-added processing a high
    priority in the SARE program.

-   Several commenters also praised the integrated research and outreach
    approach in the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems
    (IFAFS) and wanted it restored and funded.

-   Many commenters also recommended that additional grant-writing
    assistance and training be given to potential applicants.

-   Several commenters supported the beginning Farmer and Rancher
    Development Program and several commenters recommended that issues
    specific to small and medium-size farms be given high priority.

## 

[The Land-Grant University System]{.underline}

-   A large number of commenters stressed the importance of the LGUs and
    the role of USDA-CSREES in providing leadership and funding for the
    research, education, and extension activities carried out within
    this national system.

-   Many of these commenters stressed the need to provide additional
    support for these universities and the Cooperative Extension System
    (CES).

-   The majority of commenters were highly complimentary of the LGUs and
    the diversity of programs in agriculture, technology, nutrition,
    health, natural resources, ecology, youth development, and other
    areas, although several commenters were critical of the LGU system.

-   Many commenters praised the quality of the research and outreach
    (extension) and the connection between the two. A smaller but
    significant number praised the value of the higher education
    activities that are generating human capital by training the next
    generation of agricultural scientists and professionals.

-   Some people commented on the value of research at the LGUs, which
    provides both information and training opportunities.

-   Several commenters recommended that partnership with industry be
    enhanced as a way of stretching limited funds and staying attuned to
    progress in corporate research. On the other hand, several
    commenters were cautious to highly critical of corporate involvement
    with the LGU research mission.

-   A number of commenters expressed concern about loss of relevancy
    within the LGUs and the CES and expressed the need to refocus
    attention on applied research and production agriculture issues.

-   Several commenters recommended creation of "model farms" to help new
    farmers and stated that the research and extension system is
    especially valuable to help new farmers and alternative-crop
    producers.

[1890 Colleges, 1994 Institutions, and Alaska and Hawaii Native Serving
Institutions]{.underline}

-   Commenters representing Native American interests generally
    supported fully funding the Extension Indian Reservation Program
    (EIRP), and requested more extension agents on Indian reservations.

# [Higher Education]{.underline}

-   A number of commenters encouraged continued and/or increased support
    for agricultural higher education and increased access to higher
    education in agriculture.

[4-H, FFA, Youth Programs, AG in the Classroom, and Agricultural
Education]{.underline}

-   A large number of commenters stressed the importance of investing in
    agricultural education and youth development programs.

-   Many of these commenters specifically supported 4-H and FFA.

-   Several commenters praised the Agriculture Future of America program
    that has provided scholarship assistance to over 3,500 students in
    the past 9 years.

-   Consistent themes among these commenters were that it is important
    to invest in people, not programs; that these programs help youth
    develop valuable leadership skills that help them personally while
    also contributing to the future of their communities; that these
    programs are necessary in urban, suburban, and rural areas so that
    all Americans are cognizant of the importance of agriculture and the
    opportunities for individual employment that can be found in
    agricultural enterprises; that agricultural education should be
    available at all levels from K-12 as well as in post-secondary
    schools; that these programs help bring technology to rural youth
    and provide a doorway to today's knowledge economy; that today we
    are reaping the benefit of the foresight of prior generations that
    invested in these programs; that there is an alarming shortage of
    vocational agriculture teachers developing in this country; that we
    need to provide incentives for these teachers and up-to-date
    resources for their classrooms; that there is a shortage of trained
    agricultural technicians; that these programs have helped many young
    people to stay engaged and productive; and that they have helped
    many young people pursue their dreams and change their lives for the
    better.

-   Several commenters noted the need for an educated workforce in
    agriculture.

    [Specialty Crops]{.underline}

-   Numerous commenters recommended strong support for research and
    education programs to address specialty crops in the 2007 farm bill.
    The crops mentioned most often were vegetables, tree fruit, small
    fruit, ethnic foods, dry beans, flowers, ornamental crops, nursery
    crops, maple syrup, agro-forestry, and forage crops.

-   Many commenters indicated that specialty crops provide some of the
    best opportunities for new, part-time, and socially disadvantaged
    farmers to successfully enter the business of farming, that these
    enterprises contribute to maintenance of the entire agricultural
    infrastructure, and that they provide good teaching opportunities to
    reach the nonfarm urban and suburban populations.

-   Some commenters observed that Federal investment in research,
    education, and outreach dedicated to specialty crops has been
    limited even though specialty crops represent a major component of
    the country's agricultural economy.

-   A number of commenters mentioned the valuable work that was
    performed by the Cooperative Extension Service under the USDA
    specialty crop block grants that were administered by the individual
    State departments of agriculture across the country.

-   Many commenters stated that 50 percent of the research funding in
    USDA should go to fruits and vegetables because the USDA Food
    Pyramid guidelines recommend that over 50 percent of our nutrition
    should come from fruit and vegetables.

-   Several commenters suggested that research is needed for improving
    the quality and post-harvest shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.

[Organic and Sustainable Agriculture]{.underline}

-   Many diverse commenters stated that greater support for research,
    education, and outreach is needed to increase the productivity and
    profitability of organic and sustainable farming operations.

-   Funding for organic research should be increased to be at least
    proportionally equal to the percentage of the increasing U.S. food
    market that is organic.

-   A number of people submitted nearly identical comments that
    recommended there should be at least a 5-fold increase in USDA-ARS
    resources explicitly allocated to organics. Effort should include
    the development of an organic program within the ARS with the
    oversight of a national program leader for Organic Agriculture. ARS
    should be devoting at least a 2 percent "fair share" (based on the
    organic share of U.S. food markets) of its total resources to
    organic research and should receive \$20 million in mandatory
    funding per year for organic research.

-   These commenters also recommended an increase in funding for the
    USDA-CSREES Integrated Organic Program to \$10 million in mandatory
    funds per year.

-   It was also stressed that there should be funding for the NAL's
    Alternative Farming Systems Information Center to manage the
    [www.OrganicAgInfo.org](http://www.organicaginfo.org/) Web site as
    an online database of information specific to organic production and
    marketing.

-   Many commenters focused on the need for CES to help sustainable and
    organic farmers find new market niches, improve marketing skills,
    develop value-added products, and develop mentoring networks of
    innovative farms.

-   Numerous commenters supported the USDA-CSREES Sustainable
    Agriculture Research and Extension (SARE) program as a model of how
    to run effective programs that integrate producers into research and
    outreach activities.

-   Several commenters identified the need to study the long-term
    environmental and human health impacts of organic farming.

Product Development, Alternative Crops, Diversification, Market
Research, and Product Quality

-   Numerous commenters expressed support for research and development
    activities that would broaden the portfolio of agricultural
    enterprises available to small and medium-sized farms, new farm
    operations, farms at the urban interface, farms in transition from
    commodity production, and to rural areas in general.

-   These recommendations included commercializing new crops for
    pharmaceutical, nutritional, industrial, and energy purposes;
    developing new uses for existing crops; and creating value-added
    processing opportunities for existing crops.

-   A number of commenters stressed that product quality research should
    be conducted to increase both the value and competitiveness of
    American agricultural products.

-   Many commenters recommended that USDA conduct market research or
    help producers conduct market research to identify opportunities and
    improve the success for new agricultural enterprises.

    [Invasive Species and Pest Management]{.underline}

-   Many commenters expressed concern about the increase in invasive
    species associated with increased travel and trade.

-   Some commenters centered on the need for additional funding and
    giving a higher priority to preventing the spread of weeds, insect
    pests, and diseases detrimental to crops, nursery plant production,
    forestry production, and natural resources.

-   Commenters from Hawaii expressed strong support for ARS fruit fly
    eradication efforts.

-   Some commenters supported more basic research into plant biology and
    biocontrol methods and/or sprays for controlling pests and weeds.

## [Crop Management and Breeding]{.underline}

-   Research applied to the various grains and oilseeds---wheat,
    sorghum, soybeans, and barley ---received many supportive comments.
    Many of the comments were general in nature, but some supported
    increased research on diseases (including soybean rust), improved
    crop varieties (e.g., hard winter wheat), completion of the mapping
    of the wheat genome, and new uses for corn and other grains.

-   Some commenters voiced support for research that helped plant
    breeders develop increased resistance in common crop varieties to
    insect pests, diseases, and adverse growing conditions (drought).

-   Several commenters indicated that breeding programs have provided
    significant benefits in the past, but support for plant breeding
    seems to be declining.

-   These commenters stressed that plant breeding programs are long-term
    investments that require many years to reach fruition and, as such,
    they need consistent long-term funding.

    [Animal Production]{.underline}

-   Animal research commenters focused on continuing and expanding
    research in fish, poultry, and livestock production and protection.

-   Some commenters supported animal production research to develop
    environmentally friendly animal production systems; measure the
    effects of antibiotic use in animal systems, including antibiotic
    resistance and production strategies minimizing antibiotic use; and
    for research and development of value-added products and services.

-   Other commenters supported animal protection research for disease
    prevention, animal health, and animal welfare within the food animal
    system. Several commenters specifically identified the need for
    research on foreign or "invasive" animal diseases.

-   Many commenters suggested that conservation practices and control
    technologies need to be developed to allow effective use of animal
    waste for agricultural production while protecting the environment
    and public health.

-   Alternative uses of animal waste such as energy production need to
    be developed.

-   Several commenters expressed the need for USDA to pay more attention
    to aquaculture and to recognize that aquaculture is an important,
    fast-growing commercial agricultural enterprise.

    [New Farmer/Rancher Programs]{.underline}

-   Many commenters stressed the need to provide educational, technical,
    and business management assistance to new and beginning farmers.

-   Many commenters felt that business planning, entrepreneurship, and
    financial management skills are among the most significant needs for
    new farmers getting started.

-   Many commenters also suggested establishing farmer networks to link
    beginning farmers with peers and with experienced mentors.

-   Several commenters also recommended establishing model farms at
    universities where new farmers could acquire needed skills.

-   Focus research, marketing, conservation, and risk management
    programs on meeting the unique needs of beginning farmers.

## 

# [Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers]{.underline}

-   A number of commenters addressed the need to provide assistance and
    outreach services for minority and socially disadvantaged farms.

-   Several commenters encouraged USDA to provide general outreach to
    help them understand and participate in the range of available USDA
    financial and technical assistance programs.

-   Some commenters stressed the importance of CSREES education and
    outreach programs that can help disadvantaged farmers be more
    successful.

-   A recurring theme was that these minority populations will supply
    our future farmers as they transition to being farm owners.

    [Farm Safety]{.underline}

-   A handful of commenters addressed the issue of farm safety outreach
    and awareness.

    ***Detailed Suggestions Expressed***

    [Research Funding]{.underline}

-   Opposition was expressed about money coming out of USDA research to
    fund EPA air quality research.

-   Help from the Federal Government should be channeled through ARS.
    ARS should act as clearinghouse for private and public research to
    avoid duplication.

-   An active research program is needed to respond to new and emerging
    agricultural and natural resource problems, including socio-economic
    issues. The portfolio of research and extension should be balanced.
    Support CSREES and the complementary programs of ARS. It is
    important to address natural resource, environment, and product
    safety issues, which yield an excellent return on investment.

-   Strategic public investment in food and agricultural research,
    extension, and education is essential in producing research outcomes
    needed to bring about beneficial and timely solutions to multiple
    challenges like biosecurity, foot-and-mouth disease, mad cow
    disease, exotic plant and animal pests, and protection of rangeland
    from invasive species.

-   Continue funding research, but do not just give results to industry
    without compensation.

-   The cost of intellectual property to agriculture must be controlled.
    Publicly funded research at LGUs is underfunded and industry now
    controls technology which gets distributed globally.

-   Limit or eliminate royalties on federally funded research.

-   Redouble our focus on public R&D and technology that can be quickly
    adapted and implemented by our Nation's producers.

-   Industry needs more leadership from the USDA and States concerning
    research priorities and funding.

-   Need more research to show the true impacts of farming, both
    positive and negative. Need science to help meet new air quality
    mandates.

-   Research on agricultural issues like nutrition, damaging plant and
    animal diseases, and other topics is important. Research is an
    important title in the farm bill.

-   Fund research about public health and nutrition, plant breeding, and
    nonchemical agricultural practices (crop rotation).

-   Support research on crop rotation, farm worker safety, and seed
    saving.

-   Support research to increase efficiency and resolve challenges
    related to environmental management, food safety, cattle health,
    etc.

-   Coordination of USDA research funding: does agriculture get fair
    share of Federal research funding, does agriculture community get
    credit for successes, do corporate funders influence agricultural
    research?

-   Coordinate research between Government and universities.

-   Support the full funding of food safety, anti-agri-terorrism,
    anti-ecoterrorism endeavors.

-   Get the scientists out of the scientifically engineered foods
    research business.

-   Farmers can join organizations to provide input into marketing and
    research-related issues.

-   We do not need research on how to produce more of the current
    commodity crops.

-   No Federal research for increased output of animal products, support
    research for humane and sustainable agriculture.

-   More support for basic and applied research into plant biology,
    livestock, integrated pest management.

-   Increase applied research for short-term benefits to producers.

    [Formula Funds]{.underline}

-   Recommend a strong balance between formula funds that keep the
    land-grant system running and competitive funds which promote
    innovation.

-   Base funds are critical to small States that have a hard time
    competing with larger States with greater research capacity.

-   The formula funds for research and extension must be revised to
    recognize more criteria than land in farms. They need to ensure
    funding to serve needs of the population for nutrition education,
    conservation, and other nonproduction concerns. Currently, States
    with high-value but low-acreage crops are at a disadvantage.

-   Retain the McIntire-Stennis formula so that professional forestry
    advice is available, especially to new small-holders of parcels,
    when disasters such as forest fires or hurricanes strike.

-   We need to increase the 4(b) and 3(b) formula funds at the
    land-grant universities to serve small farmers.

-   The loss of formula funds would be compounded by the loss of private
    sector funds for research and the loss of private investment in the
    innovations flowing from land-grant universities.

-   A study at Iowa State University found that formula funds are five
    times as valuable to the American public as competitive funding
    programs.

-   Since 1995, formula funds for extension have dwindled. Currently,
    Federal goals still drive LGU plans of work, but if this percentage
    continues to shrink, it is only a matter of time before State and
    local needs take precedence.

    [Competitive Grant Programs]{.underline}

-   Shifting to competitive grant systems will create an undue burden
    and favor large universities with professional grant writers.
    Requiring universities to expend resources to apply for grants that
    may not materialize does not make sense.

-   Competitive grants encourage cooperation, but they take funds away
    from smaller States.

-   Because USDA research funding has not kept pace with new
    opportunities or the general growth in Federal science funding, the
    National Institute for Food and Agriculture should be established as
    recommended by the Danforth Task Force.

-   Support the National Food and Agricultural Sciences Act as a
    supplement rather than a replacement of formula funds.

-   Expand International Science and Education Competitive Grants and
    increase funding for programs such as IFAFS that integrate teaching,
    research, and extension.

-   Increase SARE and the SARE-PDP to \$40 million per year. Increase
    the CSREES Organic Transitions Competitive Grants Program.

-   New funding is needed for the Integrated Activities Program within
    CSREES.

-   Double the authorization for the NRI program to \$1 billion.

-   Section 406 integrated programs have helped farmers and
    municipalities protect water quality.

-   Continue support for the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk
    (CYFAR) program. This program and the Extension Service have been
    able to grow youth self-esteem.

-   Ensure State universities are eligible to receive competitive
    grants.

-   In order to achieve Federal objectives, make competitive grants
    extremely targeted and describe the desired outcome explicitly at
    the outset.

-   The U.S. produce industry requests a comprehensive competitive
    research grant program focused on fruit and vegetable industry
    priorities.

-   Create a National Specialty Crop Development Initiative as a
    competitive grant program with \$30 million mandatory funding.

-   Authorize the regional IPM Centers to receive appropriations for
    various activities related to pest management and to administer a
    competitive grants program for eligible degree-granting
    universities.

-   The NRI has made significant progress by funding projects that
    integrate research and extension activities.

-   Increase funding for the CSREES Integrated Organics program to \$10
    million per year, award numerous small grants and keep this out of
    the NRI.

    [The Land-Grant University System]{.underline}

-   Support university research and extension and the new Hawaii School
    of Landscape Architecture.

-   Some farmers are willing and able to pay universities to provide
    unbiased information.

-   A more coordinated USDA research strategy was advocated.

-   Make sure LGUs have stakeholder input as we set the research and
    education agenda.

-   We must control the cost of intellectual property. The LGUs used to
    drive progress with publicly owned research but now multinational
    corporations are driving developments which they distribute
    everywhere.

-   Support the National Young Farmer Educational Association in the
    next farm bill.

-   Our highest priority as a State farm bureau is our university
    research and extension service.

-   The Rural Resources Extension Act reaches private landowners and has
    long-lasting impact.

[1890 Colleges, 1994 Institutions, and Alaska and Hawaii Native Serving
Institutions]{.underline}

-   Support the Tribal Farm Bill Roundtable recommendation that funding
    and staff be allocated to improve outreach to tribes about all USDA
    programs.

-   Only two of the 22 tribes in New Mexico have Extension Indian
    Reservation Programs (EIRP), and USDA should ensure that all 22
    tribes and three tribal colleges can participate.

-   USDA should ensure a permanent CES program is in each of these
    communities to provide 4-H, nutrition, health, and specialized
    natural resource/agricultural extension.

-   Form a national task force between CSREES and the National
    Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC)
    to focus on EIRP.

-   At least five extension agents should cover the 30,000-square-mile
    Navajo Nation.

-   Ensure the next USDA national liaison is from the tribal community.

-   Discussed moving the EIRP program within CSREES to gain greater
    flexibility and visibility and possibly moving the program out into
    the western region where it is closer to the work being done.

-   USDA should provide additional funding to the two 1890 LGUs in
    Alabama (Tuskegee and Alcorn) so they can continue to expand the
    successful "Small-Scale and Limited-Resource Farmers Initiative"
    that was originally supported by NRCS.

-   The 1890 LGU Institutions Rural Entrepreneurship Program has been
    hampered by inconsistent funding and recent budget cuts. The program
    should be included as a line item alongside the Section 2501 program
    and it should be funded at \$300,000 per institution per year with a
    minimum 3-year funding commitment.

-   We need to fund a culturally based education and outreach program to
    rural Alaskan landowners to educate them about farm bill programs
    and provide tailored technical assistance.

-   The Navajo Nation wants to be involved with crafting the partnership
    agreement on enabling Navajo members to have equal access to USDA
    programs, funds, technical assistance, and education.

# [Higher Education]{.underline}

-   USDA should consider continuation of the Higher Education
    Competitive Grants program in CSREES.

-   A co-principal investigator on a USDA Higher Education Grant
    encouraged continuation of grants to non-LGUs.

-   Provide additional scholarships for college students to major in
    agriculture.

-   Fund veterinary education in the farm bill.

[4-H, FFA, Youth Programs, AG in the Classroom, and Agricultural
Education]{.underline}

-   Agriculture Future of America scholarship program should receive
    funding through the Section 7412 program that provides grants to the
    Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, FFA, and 4-H.

-   Support was expressed for the Rural Youth Development Program that
    has allowed 4-H to address the physical and economic barriers facing
    rural youth and their families.

-   USDA and the Education Department should cooperate to support FFA.

-   Make sure the Youth Farm Program through FSA is continued in the
    farm bill.

-   Maintain the helpful USDA funding for Girl Scouts of America.

-   Support the 4-H program that has been an important vehicle not only
    for youth, but for their parents as well, making parents receptive
    to the scientific information and educational resources available
    within the Cooperative Extension Service.

-   Support the Perkins-Banks Act which helps educate young people in
    the 300 agricultural career options that exist.

-   Only one--third of the high schools in the country have agricultural
    education programs, and college agricultural programs are not
    graduating enough students to fill the demand for trained
    technicians and professionals. Funding for the Secondary and
    Two-Year Post-Secondary Challenge (SPEC) grant program needs to be
    increased.

-   Offer scholarships to help rural FFA students who lack resources to
    attend national leadership-building activities.

[Specialty Crops]{.underline}

-   Do follow-up scientific evaluation on field trials in Hawaii on
    effects of these new (specialty) crops on soils, ecosystems, health
    of workers.

-   Provide more watermelon research, especially on the vexatious
    disease Phytophora.

-   Provide a specific earmark for bean research positions.

-   Continued success, growth, and profitability of the nursery industry
    and other segments of agriculture in Florida are dependent on
    investments in research on such subjects as pests and diseases,
    water, and conservation.

-   Support was expressed for university research and extension in
    ornamental horticulture and design professions, crop protection in
    nursery settings, help in controlling pests, and the
    soon-to-be-created Hawaiian School of Landscape Architecture.

-   Agriculture in the Northeast region and the Appalachian region is
    very different from Midwestern agriculture and is very dependent on
    specialty crops, niche agriculture, and even agro-tourism to stay
    profitable. Research priorities should recognize these regional
    differences.

-   Support is needed for the National Clean Plant Network that works in
    collaboration with LGUs and APHIS to provide tree fruit, grape, and
    berry growers pest-free planting stock derived from imported plant
    materials.

-   Ethnic crops should have access to specialty crop grants and
    minor-crop pesticide registrations.

-   Getting pesticides cleared for use on minor crops is a real problem.

[Organic and Sustainable Agriculture]{.underline}

-   The Organic Research Title needs to be funded at almost twice its
    current level.

-   Organic farming research and extension should be accelerated in the
    next farm bill.

-   USDA needs a definition of "sustainable agriculture" in contrast to
    "subsistence agriculture."

-   Fund organic research into soil microbiology.

-   Research the quality of organic and no-till crops.

-   Research growing organic crops with minimum of fertilizers and
    pesticides, and share with small family farms.

-   Organic farm research must replace the petro-agriculture our
    universities perpetuate.

-   Perform research on organic spray for weed control.

-   Consider bamboo as an alternative timber crop and hemp as a valuable
    fiber, food, and industrial crop.

-   Long-term whole-system studies are needed to address the complexity
    of organic agriculture systems.

[Product Development, Alternative Crops, Diversification, Market
Research, and Product Quality]{.underline}

-   Support was expressed for classical plant breeding techniques.
    Public support for this approach has dwindled such that now there
    are fewer than 10 plant breeders for many crops in both the public
    and private sector combined.

    [Invasive Species and Pest Management]{.underline}

-   A commenter urged USDA to continue its strong support of area-wide
    suppression efforts---in particular, the ARS mass-rearing of sterile
    flies in Hawaii for the U.S. mainland.

-   USDA should fund research that supports control or eradication of
    harmful invasive species that impact nursery and greenhouse
    production.

-   Support was expressed for research on fungal and bacterial controls.

-   Support was expressed for ARS research on the management of Iris
    yellow spot virus of onion (IYSV) and thrips.

-   Concern was expressed that lack of commitment to protecting farms
    from pests and diseases has led to new pests and diseases which
    present major challenges to Washington farmers.

-   Stable and permanent funding to protect agriculture from pests and
    diseases is needed.

-   A commenter proposed a quick-strike force to quickly and effectively
    respond to next foreign pest introduction.

-   In New Jersey, pest control costs represent one-third of growers'
    variable production costs. Working with Rutgers Agricultural
    Experiment Station (AES) and CES they have reduced pesticide use by
    40 percent. These types of programs are needed.

-   Host-plant resistance research to fight insect and disease pests is
    needed.

-   Greater efforts should be made to educate landowners about invasive
    species. Many plant species that are considered invasive are still
    being promoted by several USDA agencies. Review is needed to
    reconcile discrepancies between programs that promote these plants
    and programs to eradicate them.

-   Provide research money for Asian Soybean Rust.

## [Crop Management and Breeding]{.underline}

-   Research should be done to develop plant varieties that are more
    resistant to drought, insects, and disease, for example---citrus
    canker (more specifically, pest-resistant varieties that reduce
    pesticide use).

-   The next farm bill should have an equal emphasis on cereal disease
    research and new and improved traits and qualities.

-   Research should be performed to find more economical uses for crops,
    such as corn genetics for more efficient ethanol production.

-   More research into developing varieties of wheat, barley, and
    oilseeds for better/higher qualities that the millers/consumers
    want.

-   Public research needs to be a priority for smaller crops like
    sorghum, in developing forage sorghums for biomass ethanol
    production.

-   Research on cereal disease and complete mapping of the wheat genome
    should be supported. Balance theoretical and practical research and
    provide a dedicated revenue system---a stable, ongoing base for
    research.

-   Research the "destructiveness of chemically laced" food-growing
    practices.

-   There are three vacancies at the \[ARS\] Soft Wheat Quality Lab in
    Wooster, Ohio. Soft red wheat growers in Ohio need these positions
    filled promptly.

    [Animal Production]{.underline}

-   USDA should increase funding for existing research programs that
    support grass-fed and grass-finished production systems for beef
    cattle, dairy cows, swine, and poultry.

-   USDA should increase research for food safety measures and public
    health threats from large confinement operations.

-   Support research to increase the food safety and wholesomeness of
    pork products.

-   USDA has funded research that has enabled large-scale confined
    animal feeding operations while less than 2 percent of animal
    agricultural research addresses animal well-being. Instead of
    focusing on production, more funding should be directed to practices
    that provide higher levels of animal well-being.

-   Opposition was expressed to research on animals.

-   Continue Poultry Surveillance Programs and the Avian Health Program.

-   More research is needed on avian influenza.

-   Johne's disease research should be funded at \$18 million.

-   Increase research on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.

-   Research and education of insects and diseases is a high priority
    for the livestock industry. Arthropod-borne diseases were
    specifically mentioned.

-   Support accelerating research and incentives for promoting
    acceptable methods for land disposal of agricultural wastes.

-   Encourage aquaculture and coastal zone stewardship practices.

-   Continue support for the Cold-Water Aquaculture Research Program at
    the University of Maine at Orono and the Aquatic Animal Health
    Program, which have helped with the Infectious Salmon Anemia
    problem. The indemnification program for producers has made the
    difference between having and not having a domestic salmon industry.

-   Provide more funding for near-shore marine shellfish aquaculture.

-   Funding for the study of genomes at the LGUs has helped many catfish
    farmers in Alabama's Black Belt.

    [New Farmer/Rancher Programs]{.underline}

-   A commenter urged FSA and CES to expand promotion of the pilot
    program to guarantee private land sales to beginning farmers and
    ranchers. He was disappointed in the lack of funding for the 2002
    farm bill Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, and proposed a New
    Farmer Initiative that would include research, outreach, marketing,
    conservation, and risk management.

# [Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers]{.underline}

-   The 2501 program has been successful despite limited funding. It
    should be funded at the full authorized level of \$25 million.

-   The 2501 program should be expanded to additional communities such
    as Native Americans, Hispanics, and new immigrants. These funds
    should be administered through the USDA Office of Civil Rights and
    allocated to institutions that have a proven history of serving the
    target communities.

-   Support was expressed for funding USDA Extension programs that serve
    minorities, including Latinos, African Americans, and Asians.

    [Farm Safety]{.underline}

-   The AgrAbility project established in the 1990 farm bill provides
    service to thousands of injured farmers and should be continued.
    USDA should continue to provide leadership on farm safety and health
    issues because it is in a better position to do so than the Centers
    for Disease Control and Prevention.

-   A program to cost-share the replacement of old and unsafe equipment
    would be an innovative solution.

-   Propane technologies can be used to address noise, air quality, and
    pest management issues.

    [Statistics and Economics]{.underline}

-   Statistical under-reporting of greenhouse and nursery crop values
    should be remedied by increasing Federal categories for greenhouse
    and nursery crops.

-   The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) should ensure
    its statistics covering Indian reservations are accurate.

-   Research and development are needed in all phases of Alaska
    agriculture, including market research and production of value-added
    products.