09.22.05

Cantwell Applauds Senate Move to Restore Agriculture Research Funding

Cantwell Worked to Prevent Elimination of Funding Vital to Agriculture Research at WSU

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, the Senate approved the Agriculture appropriations bill, restoring $179 million in Hatch Act funding. Slated for elimination in the President’s Budget Proposal, the Hatch Act provides vital resources to agriculture research programs at land-grant universities like Washington State University (WSU). Cuts proposed by President Bush would have forced WSU to close one or more of its nine agricultural research centers.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and an important source of jobs in Washington state," Cantwell said. "WSU’s agricultural research helps the entire region’s economy and keeps jobs where they should be—right here at home."

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has fought to save the $179 million in Hatch Act funding since the Administration proposed the cuts earlier this year. In May, Cantwell wrote to Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee leaders, urging them to preserve Hatch Act programs. In her letter, Cantwell underscored the importance of agricultural research to economic competitiveness, noting that without this federal support, many existing agriculture research programs would be non-existent.

"By restoring funding to these vital programs, we can make sure that Washington state maintains its competitive edge in the global economy," said Cantwell.

The Hatch Act has helped fund WSU’s agricultural research efforts for over 100 years, and Hatch Act dollars have been responsible for some of Washington state’s biggest agricultural developments. One notable success story is the sweet cherry breeding program at WSU, which led to the development of the world famous White Rainier Cherry, now a major export to Asia.

The President’s budget proposal called for a 50 percent reduction in funding for the program in fiscal year 2006, and the full elimination of funding for Hatch Act programs in fiscal year 2007. $3.5 million of WSU’s $56 million agriculture research budget comes from Hatch funding. Washington State University estimated that the proposed cuts would have forced them to cut up to 100 staff members, close one or more research centers, and eliminate several projects for which no other federal grants are available. Currently, WSU maintains agricultural research centers in Prosser, Puyallup, Othello, Vancouver, Lind, Long Beach, Mount Vernon, Colockum Creek, and Wenatchee.

WSU, a recognized global leader in conducting agricultural research, has received funding from the Hatch Act since 1890. The funding represents a partnership between states and the federal government to provide "base" research funding for agriculture research at America’s land-grant universities. Hatch funding is especially important in supporting projects where other competitive federal grants are unavailable, such as WSU’s plant breeding program. In the past, this funding has led to the development of several varieties of raspberries, grapes, wheat, and potatoes.

In June, the House approved $178,807,000 for the Hatch Act, an increase of $100,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and the level approved by the Senate this morning. Cantwell pledged to continue fighting to preserve this important funding when the Senate and House bills are merged in a conference committee during the coming weeks.