Sustained public investment needed for agricultural research

After 2 years of unprecedented debate and coalition-building, the U.S. Congress passed a landmark Farm Bill in June 2008. By the time it was enacted, the “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008” had sparked historic levels of public interest and redirected federal funding from established channels. Among other reforms, it strengthened conservation and environmentally friendly farming practices, provided support for local farmers markets and healthy diets, advanced responsible energy production, and increased assistance for families struggling with rising food costs. Most notably for California, the Farm Bill also created a Specialty Crops Research Initiative to be administered by a newly formed National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). For the first time, a Farm Bill recognized the importance of specialty crops to the nation’s health and quality of life, and the unique role that California plays in the nation’s agricultural system. NIFA’s competitive research program is good news for California. Our state, especially the University of California, traditionally fares well in obtaining competitive grants. Already, through the unified efforts of commodity groups and the research community, California agriculture is benefiting from more than $4 million in new research funding for specialty crop needs awarded in FY 2008.