Letter to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

Signed by ASAS / Jan. 7, 2011

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on behalf of the AFRI Coalition. The Coalition supports full authorized funding of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, also known as “AFRI” which competitively funds basic, applied, and transdisciplinary research, pre‐and post‐doctoral fellowships, sabbaticals, and USDA extension activities. USDA extension disseminates knowledge about agronomic techniques, climate projections, and economic information to farmers, ranchers, rural entrepreneurs, and consumers.

AFRI research offers solutions that protect the natural resource base and environment, enhance human nutrition and health, improve our fundamental understanding of plants and animals, and foster vibrant rural communities. Work performed under AFRI also helps to guarantee the safety and security of our food supply and ensure the health of our ecosystems. Past investments in AFRI have been instrumental in supporting the discovery of anti‐inflammatory agents in broccoli and the development of new cropping systems more resilient to climate induced biological stresses. Information from these grants is essential to our food systems. AFRI accomplishments like mapping the apple, bovine, and soybean genomes will eventually be used to enhance agricultural production at a lower cost to the environment. We argue that continued, long‐term, investments in basic, integrated, and transdisciplinary research, education, and extension performed by AFRI will ensure that our nation has a world‐class food supply and abundant natural resources available for future generations to enjoy.

We ask that you consider AFRI as one of the primary investments supporting scientific innovation and education.

American Dairy Science Association American
Phytopathological Society
American Society for Horticultural Science
American Society for Microbiology
American Society for Nutrition
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
American Society of Agronomy
American Society of Animal Science
American Society of Plant Biologists
American Veterinary Medical Association
Aquatic Plant Management Society
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Council on Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics
Crop Science Society of America
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Federation of Animal Science Societies
Institute of Food Technologists
Iowa State University
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
National Association of Plant Breeders
National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
North Central Weed Science Society
Northeastern Weed Science Society
Poultry Science Association
Society of Nematologists
Soil Science Society of America
Southern Weed Science Society
The Rodale Institute
Union of Concerned Scientists
Weed Science Society of America
Western Society of Weed Science