Bipartisan House Small Brewers Caucus champions barley research
The House Small Brewers Caucus advocates for the 9,736 small and independent breweries in the United States recognizing craft breweries are vital small businesses and focal points of the communities in which they reside. Established in 2007, the Caucus provides a forum in which Members and staff can learn about the science and art of beer and brewing as well as the relevant business, regulatory, and societal issues facing the industry.
Caucus co-chair, Representative Marilyn Strickland from the state of Washington, along with 26 of her colleagues, have signed a letter of support urging the House Committee on Appropriations to support the brewing industry in the FY26 agricultural spending bill by appropriating funds for two key barley research initiatives. The Resilient Barley Initiative and the Barley Pest Initiative leverages a collaborative team of researchers from USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Land Grant Universities across several states to accelerate resilient and pest-resistant barley variety development and adoption.
Receiving bi-partisan support, this letter is a clear sign from Congress that agricultural research is a sound investment, which has a $20 return for every $1 invested. Both initiatives seek to improve environmental sustainability and economic return to growers while meeting the needs of domestic and export end-users of barley, huge economic drivers. The National Barley Improvement Committee would like to thank Congresswoman Strickland and her colleagues on the House Small Brewers Caucus that offered their support for barley research. No barley, no beer!
View the letter and signatures here.
