Wyden, Smith Secure Millions for Oregon, OSU Agriculture Research
Omnibus measure provides nearly $11 million for NW projects
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) announced that agricultural projects in Oregon and the entire Northwest will receive nearly $11 million in federal funds. Oregon State University, a regional agriculture research leader, will directly receive more than $2.2 million in new funding and increases over Fiscal Year 2003 amounts, and will share in more than $7.1 million in new funding and increases. These funds were included in omnibus funding measure that will now be signed into law by the president. "Oregon and OSU lead the way in the agricultural research that puts food on tables from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine," said Wyden. "This research funding will help to ensure a safe and abundant food supply for Oregonians and all of America's families." "All industries benefit greatly from successful research and development, and so too do the areas that are home to those innovations," said Smith. "By promoting agricultural discovery and invention we can ensure Oregon is a future industry leader." Oregon State University in Corvallis will receive funding for numerous projects, including: • $357,000 for the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research, to be shared among Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In addition, the Center will receive $225,000 over its FY2003 funding level for a genetics research initiative; • $357,000 for multi-commodity agricultural marketing research; • $353,000 for research at the National Laboratory for Molluscan Broodstock in Newport; • $599,000 for the Solutions to Environmental and Economic Problems (STEEP) III project; • $264,000 for the meadowfoam research project, an effort to increase the supply of renewable industrial oils; • an increase of $225,000 over FY2003 funding for powdery mildew research, a disease that continues to threaten hops production in the Pacific Northwest; and, • an increase of $270,000 over FY2003 funding for the Shellfish Research Program. OSU will also share in $680,000 for a regional Barley Genome Mapping Project, and in a $6.1 million multi-state appropriation for wood utilization research. The omnibus bill also provides: • an increase of $135,000 over FY2003 funding for research on turf and forage grasses at Corvallis; • an increase of $225,000 over FY2003 funding for conservation tillage research at Pendleton; • an increase of $270,000 over FY2003 funding for western grazing lands research conducted at Burns and Reno, Nevada; • $325,000 for Oregon Garden, a public display garden and botanical complex currently under construction in Silverton; and • $409,000 to be shared among Oregon, Idaho and Washington for research to identify improved grass seed crop management and conservation practices.
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