05.08.09

Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Agriculture

Our state has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn – unemployment levels have skyrocketed and I’ve heard from many local communities struggling to cover basic services like education, public safety, transportation and health care. As a United States Senator, part of my job is to help critical priorities in our state receive attention from the federal government so that we can help reinvigorate our economy, create new, high-paying jobs, and help our working families stay ahead in these tough economic times.

 

Part of that process at the federal level includes making sure that our state gets our fair share of funding from the federal government. Washington consistently pays more in federal tax dollars than we receive back in federal investment and services.

During the annual budget process, I submit requests to the Senate Appropriations Committee for congressionally directed spending for Washington state (sometimes referred to as “earmarks”) that benefits our state. Some of these include: flood control levees; airport, rail, highway and mass transit improvements; drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; gang crime prevention and intervention programs; workforce training; and, agricultural research. I am working to continue to make this process even more transparent and to ensure that we’re spending taxpayer dollars wisely.

 

Every year, I receive hundreds of requests for assistance from cities, counties, water and utility districts, transportation agencies, and others. I carefully review and evaluate these requests — and choose to submit a selection of these projects to the Committee.  The final outcome for any request will not be known until the bill has been approved by the House and Senate, and signed into law by the President.

I will be posting each request I make to my Web site as they are submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Below you will find detailed information about requests I made for the FY 2010 Department of Agriculture:

 

Aegilops cylindrica (Jointed Goatgrass) – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – Our nation seeks reliable sources of alternative and renewable energy, and one possible approach is to develop liquid fuels and other products from biological sources, primarily plants. The rising cost of food necessitates research into a next generation of biofuels produced from the structural components of plants, rather than their seeds. Weedy plants have many desirable qualities in this regard: they require minimum inputs of water, fertilizer, and tillage; they vigorously produce biomass; and they have a strong resistance to disease and pests. Aegilops cylindrica is one species that shows great promise in this capacity. Researchers at Washington State University are currently analyzing such plants to understand how they function and to enable the valuable attributes described above to be transferred to other plants, such as the poplar, capable of surviving in a variety of different climates.

 

WSU has exceptional scientific strength regarding Aegilops cylindrical and poplar, and in plant science generally, and wishes to focus its efforts on understanding the most useful genetic characteristics of this and other weedy plants so that important attributes can be incorporated by alternative crop and poplar breeders into plants suitable for biomass production and conversion.

 

The funds will be used for research operating expenses such as laboratory and field assistants (post-doctoral associates, graduate students, staff, and undergraduates), equipment, and necessary travel.

 

Amount Requested – $350,000

 

 

Barley Genome Matching Project – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – The requested funding would go toward the U.S. component of the project known as the United States Barley Genome Project (USBGP), which focuses on genomics research with short- and intermediate-term outcomes relevant to barley growers and users. Barley has unique quality attributes for malting and brewing, human food, and animal feed. The long-term goal is to completely characterize the genes and pathways determining the components of barley quality. Barley productivity can be enhanced by increasing yield potential and by removing yield constraints. The goal is to completely characterize the genes and pathways determining plant growth and development (yield potential) and resistance to abiotic/biotic stresses (yield constraints). Understanding and manipulating the genes that determine economically important traits will lead to continued improvements in quality and productivity of barley and other cereal crops.

 

Amount Requested – $1,500,000

 

 

Biowaste Fuel Research Project – Central Washington University (Ellensberg, WA)

 

Project Description – CWU requests funding to investigate the practicality of operating a boiler with fuel derived from biowaste, which is in great supply in Washington state.  At least four types of biowaste are readily available in Washington – wood waste, corn stover, wine remains, and mint remains—and all generate carbon-neutral energy. 

 

If this research proves to be successful, it will likely result in the types of widespread benefits that usually accompany the deployment of any new alternative/renewable energy technology, i.e. job creation in the equipment manufacturing, and fuel collection, transport, and processing industries, increases in the nation’s energy supply, improved energy security, and reduced carbon emissions.

 

Amount Requested – $1,500,000

Cool Season Legume Research – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – The Cool Season Food Legume (CSFL) research program was established in 1991 to improve the efficiency and ultimately the sustainability of the U.S. dry pea, fresh pea, lentil, and chickpea industries. It involves Federal and state university scientists in cooperative research driven by industry needs. This funding will allow the CSFL to focus on the identification of genetically superior qualities in the breeding program, the management of diseases, nematodes, and insects, the reduction of soil erosion and improvement in water quality, the development of value-added products and new markets, the development of new legume varieties that produce more biomass, and the development of decomposition-resistant legume residues that will help growers meet soil-conservation requirements.

 

Amount Requested – $1,200,000

 

 

Development and Feasibility of Perennial Wheat for Highly Erodible Lands – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – Soil erosion by wind and water is a direct cause of lower air and water quality, sometimes several hundred miles away from its origin, but efforts to reduce soil erosion are expensive and/or transitory (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program). Perennial wheat offers a viable option for sustainable farming systems and improved environmental stewardship. Although perennial wheat is not a new idea, the value now placed on environmental stewardship and reducing soil erosion makes perennial wheat an attractive solution to the problem of soil erosion. Perennial wheat provides constant soil coverage by plant material, resistance to pests and diseases, and a source of straw for new fiber products such as straw board. In addition, perennial wheat can help improve habitat for wildlife, especially waterfowl. The overall goal of this research is to develop perennial wheat into a viable part of small grains cropping systems, especially in areas where soil erosion potential is high.

 

The majority of these funds are for salaries and benefits of the technicians who are working with the scientists to develop perennial wheat. The remaining funds are for travel to field sites and for materials to plant, grow, weed, harvest, and research the plants.

 

Amount Requested – $200,000

 

 

Food Security, WA – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – This funding would increase Washington State University’s research capacity for analyzing the potential effects of climate change on Washington’s agriculture and for creating value-added foods, fibers, and other bioproducts, while maintaining safety and security. A collaborative research program that encompasses plant and animal scientists, food scientists and engineers, bioproducts scientists and engineers, food safety experts, and economists will form teams to address specific opportunities and concerns of the nation.

 

This project aims to ensure that the nation continues to have a safe and sustainable food supply by creating new products and technologies that will develop into robust industries and providing economic opportunity and food system security.

 

Amount Requested – $400,000

 

 

Organic Farming Research for the Northwest – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – There are growing concerns among farmers and consumers over farm economic viability, environmental stewardship, farm-worker safety, and pesticide residue issues. Organic farming provides growers with a way to address many of these issues; as a result, there is growing national demand for organic foods.

 

This funding will advance the profitability, agronomic performance, environmental stewardship, number of organic and sustainable farms, and their ability to address the following focus areas identified by industry representatives for FY08-FY12: nutrient and soil management, livestock integration into organic cropping systems, pest management, organic seed production and protection, variety development specific for organic systems, food quality, and economics.

               

WSU is already active in the areas of insect pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, plant breeding, and grower training and education for the organic sector.

 

Amount Requested – $500,000

 

 

Potato Research – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – The objective of this research is to create more nutritious, sustainable, and disease resistant potatoes, which would provide direct benefits to American consumers and the Northwest potato industry as well as indirect benefits to all U.S. potato producers.

 

The effect of the Tri-State program on the Washington potato industry has been profound, and the contributions of the USDA/ARS and local state universities (Washington State University, University of Idaho, and Oregon State University), which depend on federal, state, and industry funding, have been instrumental in the program’s success. The potato varieties recently released by the Northwest Tri-State breeding program are now produced on over 100,000 acres, and their value to growers is placed at approximately $135 million farm gate. A recent economic analysis revealed that every dollar invested in the Northwest Tri-State Potato breeding program results in a $39 return. Value of the new varieties comes in the form of improved quality, increased yield, and decreased inputs. As new varieties are adopted and fertilizer and pesticide inputs decrease, profitability will increase and environmental impact will be reduced.

 

The majority of the funds will be used for salaries and benefits of WSU technicians, graduate students, and temporary employees, and the remaining funds will be used for travel to the field sites and for materials and supplies to plant, weed, harvest, and research potatoes.

 

Amount Requested – $1,800,000

 

 

Small Fruit Research Program – Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – The Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research is a network of Federal ARS and State scientists and industry cooperators from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who identify priorities and conduct a coordinated research program on berry and grape crops. The Center provides a progressive approach to genetics research, plant breeding, pest management, decision-based marketing and packaging, processing methods to improve quality and production methods directed towards increased quality. The Center fosters the development of a national exchange network for small fruit research.

 

This special research grant supports research and teaching jobs (field and laboratory technicians, graduate research assistants, student workers), in addition to maintaining research programs of scientists of the collaborating entities.  The work of this grant also supports the grape and berry industries of other regions of the nation, which continue to grow in size and production volume.

 

Amount Requested – $500,000

 

 

U.S. Agricultural Research Service Laboratory – USDA, ARS, Construction (Pullman, WA)

 

Project Description – USDA’s Agriculture Research Service has six plant research units located at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. ARS determined in 2003 that its facilities were inadequate, and previous funding for this project was used to develop plans for a new laboratory building. The funding ARS requested this year will enable ARS to begin constructing this new laboratory building. The ARS facility will be fully integrated in a Washington State University six building Life Sciences/Biotechnology complex.  ARS conducts basic and applied research in plant science. This research has important implications for the nation’s agriculture industry, especially in the following areas (corresponding to units of the plant science division at ARS): Air Quality, Crop Protection and Quarantine, Global Change, Integrated Farming Systems, Plant Biological and Molecular Processing, Plant Diseases, Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement, Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products, Soil Resource Management, Water Availability and Water Management.

 

Amount Requested – $5,000,000

 

 

U.S. Agricultural Research Service Laboratory – USDA, ARS (Prosser, WA)

 

Project Description – The requested funding will enable additional research into areas such as pest/disease/virus resistance, crop and natural resource management, and improved crop processing characteristics. This research will help the specialty crops, forages, and biofuel feedstocks industries to be competitive in the global market by addressing current and emerging production problems, providing them with state of the art production prescriptions to maximize input use efficiencies, and enhancing net returns to farmers while maintaining the economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural production systems in the face of changing economic and environmental priorities. Funding will go to the following specific programs: potato variety improvement, forages/alfalfa/edible legumes stress tolerance and virus disease management, edible legumes germplasm improvement and disease management, sustainable irrigated cropping systems for specialty crops and biofuels, sustainable irrigated cropping systems, and integrated natural resources management for irrigated cropping systems.

 

Amount Requested – $1,800,000

 

 

Virus-free Wine Grape Cultivars, WA/Wine Grape Foundation Block – Washington State University – Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, (Prosser, WA)

 

Project Description – The presence and spread of devastating plant viruses across the grape-growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho poses a considerable danger to the grape and wine industries these states. About 900 PNW wineries depend upon the production of quality wine grapes, and many consumers nationwide enjoy the benefits of healthy PNW grapes, as well. This project aims to eradicate viruses from vineyards, to ensure industry longevity, to ensure that seeds entering these states are free from viruses, and to address the effects of imminent changes to federal rules pursuant to pending WTO regulations that would require states to drop plant quarantines for viruses and phylloxera if states are unable to provide sufficient evidence supporting the decision to enact the quarantine.

              

This project addresses immediate high-priority needs recognized by the regional industry and WSU scientists and will create a solid base for long-term growth of the industry.

 

Amount Requested – $300,000