APLU Applauds House & Senate Inclusion of Mandatory Funding in Agricultural Research Facilities in Farm Bill Packages

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities President Mark Becker today released the following statement on the inclusion of the Research Facilities Act and mandatory investments in public universities’ research facilities in draft House and Senate Farm Bill packages.
 
“The public and land-grant university community applauds the significant investments in both the House and Senate Farm Bill packages that will help address longstanding deferred maintenance of agricultural research facilities. We are particularly encouraged by the level of funding in the House measure and encourage policymakers to provide the maximum level of funding as the process moves forward. We thank House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow for their leadership in prioritizing investments in America’s agricultural innovation. 
 
“This investment will help address the significant national maintenance backlog that has strained cutting-edge agricultural research. It will help position our nation to continue to lead globally, feed our nation and the growing global population, and tackle agricultural-related climate, national security, and public health challenges.
 
“With more than $11.5 billion in deferred maintenance, our nation’s agricultural researchers, Cooperative Extension specialists, and educators have dealt with deteriorating facilities while ensuring exceptional innovation, outreach, and education. Investment in our agricultural research facilities will ensure our nation can continue to take on the local, regional, national, and global challenges. The inclusion of the Research Facilities Act is a critical first step to ensuring the U.S. remains the world’s most innovative, productive, and vibrant agricultural sector. As Congress moves the Farm Bill forward, we urge lawmakers to advance these critical investments.”