Michigan agricultural organizations advocate for federal funding through the Research Facilities Act in support of new and modernized facilities at agricultural colleges, a much-needed investment after decades of deferred maintenance.
Stakeholders from across Michigan's agricultural landscape joined more than 340 state, regional, and national organizations in strong support of significant federal reinvestment in U.S. agricultural research infrastructure. In a recent letter sent to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture; and ranking committee members Senator John Boozman and Representative David Scott; the letter's signatories urged Congress to include at least $5 billion in funding through the Research Facilities Act (RFA) in the next Farm Bill.
Leaders at the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the first institution of higher education in the United States to teach scientific agriculture, echoed the letter's call to action and expressed thanks to the many Michigan stakeholders that signed the letter, which included:
- Bear Creek Organic Farm
- Brevant Seeds
- Cherry Marketing Institute
- Dairy Farmers of America
- Michigan Agri-Business Association
- Michigan Allied Poultry Industries
- Michigan Apple Association
- Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
- Michigan Bean Commission
- Michigan Blueberry Commission
- Michigan Cattlemen's Association
- Michigan Corn Growers Association
- Michigan Crop Improvement Association
- Michigan Farm Bureau
- Michigan Food and Farming Systems
- Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council
- Michigan Milk Producers Association
- Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association
- Michigan Pork Producers Association
- Michigan Processing Apple Growers
- Michigan Processing Asparagus Growers
- Michigan Sheep Producers Association
- Michigan Soybean Association
- Michigan State Horticultural Society
- Michigan Tree Fruit Commission
- Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
- Michigan Vegetable Council
- Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc.
- Village of L'Anse
- VitaPlus
- West Michigan Food Processing Association
- White Pine Winery and Vineyards, LLC
Read the complete article on www.canr.msu.edu