CSREES Update - February 26, 2007

CSREES Update, from the Office of the Administrator, is a biweekly newsletter for research, education, and extension partners at land-grant universities and other cooperating institutions.

In This Issue

CSREES

• No FY 2007 Funds for Potato Research or Citrus tristeza
• SCC 80 Refocuses National Plant Breeding Study Recommendations
• Feedback Requested on Social Science Research Priorities and Web-based Stakeholder Workshops
• CSREES Lists Open Requests for Grant Applications

USDA

• Johanns Names Members to National Potato Promotion Board
• Johanns Announces Students' Unique Invitation to View Agriculture's Future – USDA's 2007 Agriculture Outlook Forum
• USDA Announces Allan Hubbard as Distinguished Guest Speaker for March 1 Outlook Forum
• USDA Announces $4.6 Million to Promote Business Development and Job Creation

Awards and Recognition

• Texas , New Mexico Collaboration Earns Water Resources Award
• Council Rates Torrence as one of Nation's Top Veterinarians

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CSREES

No FY 2007 Funds for Potato Research or Citrus tristeza

CSREES issued two FY 2007 requests for applications (RFAs) under the Special Research Grants Program; Potato Research and Citrus tristeza.  While funding was anticipated at the time the RFAs were released, Public Law 110-5, “Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2007, and for Other Purposes,” does not provide funding for the FY 2007 programs.  Therefore, applications submitted to us in response to the RFAs will not be processed and applicants will be informed accordingly. 

SCC 80 Refocuses National Plant Breeding Study Recommendations

In the 1990's, CSREES sponsored the National Plant Breeding Study (NPBS), which documented declining plant breeding investment in the United States. A panel of experts convened to consider how to sustain plant breeding's ability to provide excellent science and service to the nation. The NPBS data set, the most comprehensive assembled on plant breeding, has been used in numerous economic studies. However, NPBS panel recommendations have languished with little or no action. When the study ended, there was no base from which further work could be carried out.

That changed February 8-9, 2007, when CSREES and North Carolina State University (NCSU) held the first-ever regular opportunity for all U.S. plant breeders to work together on strategic issues. More than 170 participants included plant breeders from (30) 1862 and (3) 1890 land-grant universities, federal plant breeders from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Forest Service, and private breeders from the commercial and nonprofit sectors. Workshop co-sponsors included ARS, commercial and nonprofit entities, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University.

The workshop established the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee as multistate project SCC 80. The multistate project structure brings advantages of continuity and flexibility, inclusiveness, and recognition and accountability.  SCC 80 creates a living structure to carry on the charge given a decade ago to the original NPBS panel.

The workshop elected the first slate of officers for SCC 80 and developed an initial work plan to respond to the challenge of sustaining plant breeding as a vital national capacity.

SCC 80's initial 5-year work plan is structured around the contributions of plant breeding to six widely-shared national goals:

• Excellence in science and technology;
• A competitive agricultural system in the global economy;
• Competitiveness, sustainability, and quality of life in rural America ;
• A safe and secure food and fiber system;
• A healthy, well-nourished population; and
• Harmony between agriculture and the environment.

The goals were adapted from the USDA strategic goals for agriculture. The goal-based structure will:

• Enable plant breeders to communicate how their work contributes to national goals; and,
• Foster unity of purpose and understanding among plant breeders in state, federal, and private sectors, which could ultimately enhance coordination and effectiveness.

Feedback Requested on Social Science Research Priorities and Web-based Stakeholder Workshops  

CSREES Competitive Programs requests input from participants of the November 28, 2006, interactive Web-based stakeholder workshops, “Social Science Research Priorities in Agriculture and Rural Development.” The workshops addressed the priorities, goals, objectives, and future direction for three National Research Initiative (NRI) programs that focus primarily on social sciences, agricultural prosperity for small- and medium-sized farms, agricultural markets and trade, and rural development. Stakeholder input is one of the criteria used in the NRI priority-setting process. Workshop proceedings are available at the CSREES Web site. Please provide comments and suggestions to Dr. Siva Sureshwaran.

CSREES Lists Open Requests for Grant Applications

CSREES advertises all of its funding opportunities through "Find Grant Opportunities" on the Grants.gov Web site. This site is searchable and contains summary information on all Federal funding opportunities with links to the full announcements. Users can search announcements by topic, funding agency, and date, as well as subscribe to an e-mail notification service based on these parameters.

USDA

Johanns Names Members to the National Potato Promotion Board

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on February 16 appointed 27 producer members and 2 importer members to serve on the National Potato Promotion Board. All terms begin March 1, 2007, and end February 28, 2010.

Authorized under the 1971 Potato Research and Promotion Act, the National Potato Promotion Board is composed of producers, importers, and a public member appointed by the secretary.

The board administers an industry-funded national research and promotion program to increase U.S. exports and domestic potato consumption. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the board.

Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release.

Johanns Announces Students' Unique Invitation to View Agriculture's Future – USDA's 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on February 15 announced the selection of 11 university students invited to attend the discussions of agriculture's future at USDA's 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The conference, "Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm and Rural Policy," is March 1 and 2 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA. USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program was created this year to provide students a unique insight into in their agricultural studies.

The juniors and seniors majoring in agricultural-related studies at land-grant universities were selected based on their essays, "Why I Want a Career in Agriculture." The students representing their universities are: Rosalind Booker, Virginia State University; Meredith M. Esguerra, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Monique Fahie, Alcorn State University; Sara Falk, Michigan State University; Matthew Greiner, Michigan State University; Alicia Lowe, Virginia State University; Lakeitha Ruffin, Alcorn State University; LeAnn Rutledge, North Carolina A & T State University; Kristen Walker, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Corrina Willis, Lincoln University; and Victoria Young, Lincoln University.

Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release.

USDA Announces Allan Hubbard as Distinguished Guest Speaker for March 1 Outlook Forum

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on February 15 announced that Allan Hubbard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council for the White House, will be the distinguished guest speaker for USDA's 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm and Rural Policy."

"Hubbard is an architect of the President's energy initiatives," said Johanns. "We are fortunate to have him and so many other leaders speak at our meeting to discuss the key issues, policy, and potential challenges surrounding energy and agriculture."

The Forum is March 1 and 2 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA.

Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release.

USDA Announces $4.6 Million to Promote Business Development and Job Creation

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on February 12 announced the award of $4.6 million in loan and grant funds to promote business development in 8 states. The awards will create or save an estimated 627 jobs. USDA Rural Development's Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) and Rural Business Enterprise Grant programs are providing the funds.

States receiving funding include: California, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Nonprofit organizations in South Dakota will receive three IRP loans totaling $1.9 million to fund business creation and expansion efforts.

Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release.

Awards and Recognition

Texas, New Mexico Collaboration Earns Water Resources Award

The Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation on the Rio Grande Basin project, also known as the Rio Grande Basin Initiative (RGBI), won the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) National Water Program 2007 Award as the Outstanding Integrated Activities for Water Resources. RGBI was one of the 37 projects nominated to the agency.

RGBI is a joint project between Texas and New Mexico Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Experiment Stations.

The award was presented at the National Water Conference in Savannah, GA, January 29–31, 2007.

Council Rates Torrence as one of Nation's Top Veterinarians

The Consumer's Research Council of America (CRCA) rated Dr. Mary Torrence, CSREES national program leader for food safety, as one of America 's Top Veterinarians in 2006. CRCA is an independent research company based in Washington, DC, that evaluates professional services throughout America. The selection process is based on a number of criteria, including education and affiliations in professional associations, and is independent of any advertising, sponsorships, or fees.

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For a plain text copy of this newsletter, please contact Scott Elliott. CSREES UPDATE is published biweekly. The next regular issue is planned for March 7, 2007. Submit news items to newsletter@csrees.usda.gov by February 28, 2007.

Editor: Scott Elliott , Writer-Editor, CSREES Communications Staff. If you have questions about Update, please contact him at selliott@csrees.usda.gov.

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Back issues of CSREES UPDATE are available on the CSREES Web site.

Colien Hefferan, Administrator

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Last Updated: 07/25/2007