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December 30, 2005---Via Web E-mail

Honorable Mike Johanns

Secretary of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Washington, DC 20036

**RE: Farm Bill Forum Comments**

Dear Mr. Secretary:

On behalf of the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research
(National C-FAR), I am pleased to submit comments for the public record
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill Forum in
***strong support of enhanced public investment in food and agricultural
research, extension and education (REE)*** as a vital component of the
next farm bill.

While Question #6 appears to emphasize research as a tool to advance
outcomes of expanded agricultural products and markets, National C-FAR
respectfully submits that research, extension and education are equally
important to meeting the full range of challenges and opportunities that
the U.S. food and agricultural sector face in the coming years. Our
comments are offered in the context of the full range of needs and
opportunities. Much of the answer to each of the other questions posed
in the Forum---challenges facing new farmers and ranchers; the
competitiveness of U.S. agriculture; the appropriateness and
effectiveness of the distribution of farm program benefits; the
achievement of conservation and environmental goals; and the enhancement
of rural economic growth---will come not from those farm bill titles,
but from the basic and applied research and extension and education
conducted to provide the sound science and research outcomes and tools
needed to address these multiple challenges.

National C-FAR serves as a forum and a unified voice in support of
sustaining and increasing public investment at the national level in
food and agricultural research, extension and education. National C-FAR
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based and *customer-led*
coalition established in 2001 that brings food, agriculture, nutrition,
conservation and natural resource organizations together with the food
and agriculture research and extension community. More information about
National C-FAR is available at [www.ncfar.org](http://www.ncfar.org/).

**National C-FAR Supports Enhanced Funding Authorization for Research,
Extension and Education Programs in the Next Farm Bill:**

A Sense of the Congress resolution endorsed by National C-FAR to double
funding in food and agricultural research, extension and education
within five years was incorporated into the 2002 Farm Bill that was
enacted into law. However, this major commitment to expanded research
has not yet materialized. At the four-year mark, the larger reality is
the threat of funding cuts.

While difficult choices must be made during the annual budget and
appropriations process in the current federal budget climate,
reauthorization of the farm bill is the right time and opportunity for
the Administration, the Congressional authorizing committees and the
Congress to make a strong statement about the kinds of programs and the
levels of funding needed to represent an adequate federal investment in
food and agricultural research, extension and education. National C-FAR
urges that program and funding authorizations for research, extension
and education be augmented to the level merited and the maximum extent
practicable in the next farm bill, as an important next step toward
building the funding levels needed to meet pressing identified food and
agricultural research, extension and education needs.

Program and funding authorizations in the next farm bill for all aspects
of USDA's research, extension and education programs are
important---including the Cooperative State, Research, Extension and
Education Service (CSREES), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and
the Economic Research Service (ERS). Both basic and applied research,
with an integrated approach encompassing extension and education, yield
essential outcomes that translate into tools and solutions for the U.S.
food and fiber system.

The research, extension and education title of the farm bill represents
the nation's signature federal investment in the future of the food and
agricultural sector. The unparalleled success story in the food and
agricultural system is a product in large part of past investments in
food and agricultural research and extension. Program and funding
authorizations in the next farm bill will make possible the basic and
applied research and extension that will yield a bountiful harvest of
sound science and tools. Farmers, ranchers and other sectors in the food
and agriculture system will need these outcomes to address future
challenges.

**Demonstrated Value of Public Investments in Food and Agricultural
Research, Extension and Education:**

Public and private investments in U.S. agricultural research and
practical application of results have paid huge dividends to the United
States and the world, especially in the latter part of the 20th century.
However, these dividends are the result of past investments in
agricultural research.

Food and agricultural research, extension and education to date have
helped provide the United States with an agricultural system that
consistently produces high quality, affordable food and natural fiber,
while at the same time:

-   *Creating jobs and income*. The food and agricultural sector and
    related industries provide over 20 million jobs, about 17 percent of
    U.S. jobs, and account for nearly \$1 trillion or 13 percent of GDP.

-   *Helping reduce the trade deficit*. Agricultural exports average
    more than \$50 billion annually compared to \$38 billion of imports,
    contributing some \$12 billion to reducing the \$350 billion trade
    deficit in the nonagricultural sector.

-   *Providing many valuable aesthetic and environmental amenities to
    the public*. The proximity to open space enhances the value of
    nearby residential property. Farmland is a natural wastewater
    treatment system. Unpaved land allows the recharge of the ground
    water that urban residents need. Farms are stopovers for migratory
    birds. Farmers are stewards for 65 percent of non-federal lands and
    provide habitat for 75 percent of wildlife.

-   *Sustaining important strategic resources*. This nation's abundant
    food supply bolsters national security and eases world tension and
    turmoil. Science--based improvements in agriculture have saved over
    a billion people from starvation and countless millions more from
    the ravages of disease and malnutrition.

Publicly financed research, extension and education are necessary
complements to private sector research, focusing in areas where the
private sector does not have an incentive to invest, when 1) the pay-off
is over a long term, 2) the potential market is more speculative, 3) the
effort is during the pre-technology stage; and 4) where the benefits are
widely diffused. Public research, extension and education help provide
oversight and measure long-term progress. Public research, extension and
education also act as a means to detect and resolve problems in an early
stage, thus saving American taxpayer dollars in remedial and corrective
actions.

By any standard, the contributions of publicly supported agricultural
research, extension and education to advances in food production and
productivity and the resulting public benefits are well documented. For
example, an analysis by the International Food Policy Research Institute
of 292 studies of the impacts of agricultural research and extension
published since 1953 (Julian M. Austin, et al, [A Meta-Analysis of Rates
of Return to Agricultural Research]{.underline}, 2000) showed an average
annual rate of return on public investments in agricultural research and
extension of 81 percent!

If similar research dividends are to be realized in the future, then the
nation must commit to a continuing investment that reflects the
long-term benefits of food and agricultural research, extension and
education.

**National C-FAR Urges Enhanced Federal Funding for Food and
Agricultural Research, Extension and Education:**

National C-FAR appreciates the longstanding support USDA has
demonstrated through food and agricultural research, extension and
education programs over the years that have helped the U.S. food and
agricultural sector be a world leader and provide unprecedented value to
U.S. citizens, and indeed the world community.

National C-FAR is deeply concerned that shortfalls in funding in recent
years for food and agricultural research, extension and education
jeopardize the food and agricultural community's continued ability to
maintain its leadership role and more importantly respond to the
multiple, demanding challenges that lie ahead. Federal funding for food
and agricultural research, extension and education has been flat for
over 20 years, while support for other federal research has increased
substantially. Public funding of agricultural research in the rest of
the world during the same time period has reportedly increased at a
nearly 30 percent faster pace.

Reduced public investment in food and agricultural research, extension
and education may well be a result of a view that the U.S. food and
agricultural system is an unprecedented success story. However, societal
demands and expectations placed upon the food and agricultural system
are ever-changing and growing. Simply stated, federal funding has not
kept pace with identified priority needs.

National C-FAR believes it is imperative to lay the groundwork now to
respond to the many challenges and promising opportunities ahead through
federal policies and programs needed to promote the long-term health and
vitality of food and agriculture for the benefit of both consumers and
producers. Stronger public investment in food and agricultural research,
extension and education is essential in producing research outcomes
needed to help bring about beneficial and timely solutions to multiple
challenges. Multiple examples, such as those listed below, serve to
illustrate current and future needs that arguably merit enhanced public
investment in research, extension and education so that the food and
agricultural system can respond to these challenges on a sustainable
basis:

-   Strengthened **bio-security** is a pressing national priority. There
    is a compelling need for improved bio-security and bio-safety tools
    and policies to protect against bio-terrorism and dreaded problems
    such as foot-and-mouth and "mad cow" diseases and other exotic plant
    and animal pests, and protection of range lands from invasive
    species.

-   **Food-linked health** costs are high. Some \$100 billion of annual
    U.S. health costs are linked to poor diets, obesity, food borne
    pathogens and allergens. Opportunities exist to create healthier
    diets through fortification and enrichment.

-   Research, extension and education are key to providing to solutions
    to **environmental and conservation** challenges related to global
    warming, limited water resources, enhanced wildlife habitat, and
    competing demands for land and other agricultural resources.

-   There was considerable debate during the last farm bill
    reauthorization about how expanded food and agricultural research,
    extension and education could enhance **farm income** and **rural
    revitalization** by improving competitiveness and value-added
    opportunities.

-   Energy costs are escalating, dependence on petroleum imports is
    growing and concerns about greenhouse gases are rising. Research,
    extension and education can enhance agriculture's ability to provide
    **renewable** sources of energy and cleaner burning fuels, sequester
    carbon, and provide other environmental benefits to help address
    these challenges, and indeed generate value-added income for
    producers and stimulate rural economic development.

-   Population and income growth are expanding the **world demand** for
    food and natural fiber and improved diets. World food demand is
    projected to double in 25 years. Most of this growth will occur in
    the developing nations where yields are low, land is scarce, and
    diets are inadequate. Without a vigorous response, demand will only
    be met at a great global ecological cost.

-   Regardless of one's views about **biotechnology** and genetic
    resources, an effective publicly funded research role is needed for
    oversight and to ensure public benefits.

**Translational education (extension)** is a vital link connecting the
research community to those who need and use research outcomes. The
extension and education system helps translate basic and applied
research outcomes into practical applications and more timely
implementation by the end user community, thus helping to realize
positive economic, environmental, health, food security and a host of
other benefits in the food and agricultural system, and for the
consuming public. The USDA's National Research Initiative has made
significant progress in recognizing this role, through funding of
projects that undertake an integrated research and extension approach.
National C-FAR strongly supports funding for extension and education.

Finally, there is a continuing need to build the **human capacity of
expertise** to do quality food and agricultural research, extension and
education, and to implement research outcomes in the field and
laboratory. The food and agricultural sciences face a daunting task of
supplying the nation with the next generation of scientists and
educators. If these basic human resource needs are not met, then the
nation will face a shortage of trained and qualified individuals.

Public investment in food and agricultural research, extension and
education today and in the future must simultaneously satisfy needs for
food quality and quantity, resource preservation, producer profitability
and social acceptability. National C-FAR urges that the next farm bill
augment authorizations for programs and funding for research, extension
and education be augmented to the maximum extent practicable, as an
important next step toward building the funding levels needed to meet
identified food and agricultural research, extension and education needs
for the coming decade.

As a coalition representing stakeholders in both the research, extension
and education community and the 'customers' who need and depend upon
their outcomes, National C-FAR urges expanded public participation in
the Administration's research, extension and education priority setting
and funding decision process and stands ready to work with the
Administration and other interested stakeholders in such a process.

**Conclusion:**

National C-FAR respectfully submits that---

-   The food and agricultural sector merits federal attention and
    support;

-   Food and agricultural research, extension and education have paid
    huge dividends in the past, not only to farmers, but to the entire
    food and agriculture system, the nation and the world;

-   There is an appropriate and recognized role for federal support of
    research, extension and education;

-   Recent funding levels for food and agricultural research, extension
    and education have been inadequate to meet pressing needs;

-   The groundwork for enhancing federal investments in food and
    agricultural research, extension and education can and should be
    laid in the next farm bill reauthorization; and

-   As a coalition representing stakeholders in both the research,
    extension and education community and the 'customers' who need and
    depend upon their outcomes, National C-FAR urges expanded public
    participation in the Administration's research priority setting and
    funding decision process and stands ready to work with the
    Administration and other interested stakeholders in such a process.

The farm bill should encourage and facilitate expanded public
participation during USDA's subsequent program implementation and
priority setting. USDA is to be commended for setting a high standard in
terms of public participation in this Farm Bill forum.

National C-FAR appreciates the opportunity to share its views and stands
ready to work with USDA and the Congress in shaping the research,
extension and education title of the next farm bill.

Respectfully Submitted,

R. Thomas Van Arsdall, National C-FAR Executive Director