USDA Allocates $50 Million to Research Projects

Posted by Matt Hopkins|13 June 2011

The US Department of Agriculture is allocating $50 million for projects, provided by the 2008 Farm Bill, that prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases that threaten US agriculture and the environment, according to a press release.

These projects will advance the Farm Bill goals of early pest detection and the identification and mitigation of agricultural threats.

“USDA is continuing its partnership with states, industry and other interested groups under the 2008 Farm Bill to prevent the entry of invasive plant pests and diseases, quickly detect those that may slip in and enhance our emergency response capabilities,” said Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture in a prepared statement. “I am pleased with the wide range and record number of project suggestions. They will provide strong protection to America’s agricultural and environmental resources, and many will help nursery and specialty crop growers to flourish as the economy continues to recover.”

Funding is offered to many states and US territories to implement projects at universities, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private companies and tribal organizations.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) made a concerted effort to engage external stakeholders, such as the National Plant Board, Specialty Crops Farm Bill Alliance and USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service and U.S. Forest Service, in designing the evaluation criteria for the suggestions. More than half of the suggestion reviewers came from outside of APHIS.