WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Tracey Mann (R-KS) introduced the AuGmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG RESEARCH) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide billions in funding to address deferred maintenance at U.S. schools of agriculture, including the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (UH CTAHR).
“Agriculture research institutions are crucial in supporting farming communities and driving innovation in the agriculture industry,” said Senator Hirono. “Decades of underinvestment have left many of these institutions across our country with significant maintenance backlogs, and this legislation will provide much-needed financial support to enable agriculture schools and research facilities to make the critical upgrades and updates they need. I’m glad to join my colleagues in reintroducing the AG RESEARCH Act to support these institutions and strengthen our agricultural communities.”
“For American farmers and ranchers to continue producing the best food, fuel and fiber in the world, we must maintain the best research institutions in the world,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will support the work at institutions like Kansas State University by allowing them to modernize their facilities and continue a long history of innovation and supporting the agricultural industry.”
“Our agriculture industry employs thousands of hardworking Washingtonians and is vital to our nation’s long-term strength, security, and prosperity. In the face of a changing climate, tariffs, input costs, and increased pressure on our food supply, we must support our farmers in any way we can,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Research institutions are essential for our farmers’ success - they discover solutions to agriculture’s most pressing challenges and are fundamental to successful food production and soil health. For far too long, these institutions have been underfunded, putting us at risk of falling behind the rest of the world. My bill will put the necessary investment into these institutions and provide much-needed assistance for our farmers.”
“Over the years, land-grant universities have surpassed their original vision of agricultural education and now conduct cutting-edge agricultural research that supports food security around the globe,” said Rep. Mann. “The U.S. sees a $20 return on every dollar we invest in agricultural research, yet funding for these institutions has declined in real dollars over the past two decades and handcuffed their ability to maintain up-to-date facilities. Our bill supports agricultural research, development, and innovation at these land grant universities and puts taxpayer dollars in places with a guaranteed return on investment. When we make strong investments in food and agricultural research, we invest in the next generation of America, and in our food security and national security.”
A 2015 study reported that there was an estimated total of $8.4 billion in deferred maintenance at U.S. schools of agriculture. A 2021 report confirmed the effects of the insufficient funding to address maintenance backlogs at these facilities, reporting that 69% of these agricultural school buildings were at the end of their useful lives and that the cost of addressing deferred maintenance grew to $11.5 billion.
To address the deferred maintenance of these facilities, the AG RESEARCH Act will do the following:
“Investment in the Research Facilities Act will be transformative, and we applaud Senators Moran and Hirono, as well as Representatives Mann and Schrier, for their commitment to ensuring our agricultural scientists have the tools they need to spur the next generation of agricultural innovation,” said Dr. Doug Steele, Vice President of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at APLU.
The AG RESEARCH Act is endorsed by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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