Senator Ron Wyden

Wyden, Smith Secure Funds
for Oregon, OSU Agriculture Projects

June 24, 2005

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) announced a key Senate panel has approved legislation providing agricultural projects in Oregon with millions of dollars in federal funds. The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.

“From farming to scientific research, agriculture is a major foundation of Oregon’s economy in both rural and urban areas,” said Wyden. “The initiatives supported by these Federal dollars will grow Oregon’s agriculture industry and continue its benefits for the entire state.”

“Oregon’s agricultural community is a leader in research and development. It is a success story founded on the hard work of farming and ranching families in rural Oregon,” said Smith. “Encouraging innovation in our research labs will ensure that Oregon’s long tradition will continue.”

Oregon State University will receive funding for numerous projects, including:

• $443,000 for the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research, to be shared among Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In addition, the Center will receive $3.98 million for a genetics research initiative.

• $200,000 for invasive species research.

• $365,000 at the National Laboratory for Molluscan Broodstock in Newport.

• $640,000 for the Solutions to Environmental and Economic Problems (STEEP) III project.

• $260,000 for the meadowfoam research project, an effort to increase the supply of renewable industrial oils.

• $353,000 for multi-commodity research.

• $300,000 for sage grouse research conducted at Burns.

• $450,000 to be shared among Oregon, Idaho and Washington for research to identify improved grass seed cro management and conservation practices.

• OSU will also share in a $6,235,000 million multi-state appropriation for wood utilization research.

• Continued funding for the Agricultural Research Service for programs on Floriculture and Nursery Research; and Eastern Filbert Blight.

Oregon will share in $682,000 of USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service funds for Barley Genome Mapping and $1.4 million for potato research. Klamath and Lake Counties will receive $350,000 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for development of a geothermal agricultural industrial park.

The legislation also continues funding for numerous projects including a shellfish research project, a hops genetic research project, National Germplasm Research project, viticulture research, floriculture and nursery research, and eastern filbert blight studies.

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