Klamath Basin Water smith wyden funds for oregon ag projects 110305

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Senate has passed legislation providing agricultural projects in Oregon with millions of dollars in federal funds. The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill will now go to President Bush for his signature.

“Oregon’s future as an important player in agriculture depends on the sector’s ability to grow and innovate,” said Smith. “These projects will help keep our farms on the cutting edge of agricultural innovation.”

“A whole host of Oregon agriculture projects will soon be up and running now that these funds have been approved by Congress,” said Wyden. “Agriculture and farming are to Oregon what the cornerstone is to a building, and these projects will not only continue to support our state’s economy, but also make important scientific advances for the entire U.S.”

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;
$150,000 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;
$180,000 for sage grouse research conducted at Burns;

· $450,000 to be shared among Oregon, Idaho and Washington for research to identify improved grass seed crop management and conservation practices;

OSU will also share in a $6,435,000 million multi-state appropriation for wood utilization research;
$250,000 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 $175,000 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for development of a geothermal agricultural industrial park.

The legislation continues funding for numerous existing 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.