U.S. ag organizations form coalition to support ag research funding

A coalition of 66 ag-based organizations have joined together to focus on expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) research, education, and extension budget. In an effort to further the U.S. ag industry the coalition is working toward doubling the budget to $6 billion during the five-year life of the 2018 Farm Bill. The coalition submitted its request in a letter to U.S. House and U.S. Senate agriculture leadership.“Modern agriculture is a science-based business,” said Richard Wilkins, chairman of the American Soybean Association (ASA). “And yet, we as a nation are not investing enough in publicly funded research while China has doubled its commitments. We need to regain and maintain our nation’s place as the international leader.”