National Barley Improvement Committee signs on support for investment in agricultural research
Letter to Congress in support of FY26 appropriations for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: 75 research institutions, scientific societies, and agricultural stakeholders, respectfully request no less than $500 million for the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) in Fiscal Year 2026. AFRI is USDA’s premier competitive grants program supporting fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address the most pressing challenges in food and agriculture.
Letter to Congress in support of FY26 appropriations for the Agricultural Research Service: 60 organizations from academia, agriculture, and food stakeholder groups respectfully request $1.877 billion for ARS salaries and expenses, which represents a five percent increase over the FY2025 level. Sustained federal investment in food and agricultural research at ARS provides the foundation for a resilient domestic agricultural supply chain and ensures American farmers remain competitive in global markets.
Letter to Agriculture Secretary Rollins in support of the National Plant Germplasm System (90+ signatures): Today, the NPGS plays a critical role in conserving and distributing plant genetic resources — including seeds, cuttings, and other plant materials — that are essential to U.S. farmers, plant breeders, researchers, and companies. Continued investment in the NPGS is vital to keep pace with strategic competitors such as China, who invests significant capital into agricultural research programs1. Consistent support for the NPGS is essential to maintain the United States' global leadership in agricultural research and development (R&D) and the foundation of our nation’s ability to develop new crop varieties, respond to emerging agricultural threats, and deliver innovative solutions to U.S. farmers.
Letter to Congress in support of FY26 appropriations for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority: 40+ organizations, companies, and institutions request an investment of $10 million for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA).
