On Monday, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski announced the introduction of the “America Grows Act,” according to a statement from the Budzinski Press.
According to the press release, the act would require a 5% increase in agricultural research investments for the next 10 years. This increase attempts to match America’s agricultural research funding to China and the European Union.
“If we want to continue to lead the world in food production and food security, it’s time to put our money where our mouth is,” Budzinski said in the statement.
The 5% annual increase targets specific research activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the statement said. The increase in funding would be applied to the Agriculture Research Service, Nationwide Institute for Food and Agriculture, Nationwide Agricultural Statistics Service and Economic Research Service.
The Nationwide Institute for Food and Agriculture funds external research in land-grant colleges and universities, agricultural experiment stations, schools of forestry, schools of veterinary medicine and cooperative extension experts, the statement said.
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According to the statement, over 100 organizations support the bill, including the University of Illinois.
“Investments in agricultural research are vital to sustaining our safe, affordable and abundant food supply,” said German Bollero, dean of the University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, in the statement.
In May, Sens. Dick Durbin and Jerry Moran reintroduced the “America Grows Act” in the Senate, according to a press release from Sen. Durbin’s website.
