Barley groups sign on to request increased investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area
The American Malting Barley Association and the National Barley Improvement Committee signed on to a recent letter directed towards the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the President to put forth a budget that reflects the significant challenges facing the food and agricultural system. A similar letter, led by Senator Durbin and supported by 14 other Democratic Senators, was submitted to the same agencies with a like request. Specifically, the letter, signed by 45 diverse organizations, requested at least a five percent increase to the USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area. This increase is consistent with the level of funding outlined in the bipartisan, bicameral America Grows Act (S. 1628, H.R. 5268) and will expand American competitiveness in foreign markets, improve sustainable production for a growing global population, increase nutrition access, address threats from extreme weather, pests, and diseases, and expand adoption of new technologies, advanced computing, and robotics. Barley directly benefits from ARS research and programs through three targeted initiatives: Small Grains Genomics Initiative You can read the entire letter here.
