King Introduces Legislation to Modernize Agricultural Research Facilities

UMaine welcomes Senator’s co-sponsorship of the AG RESEARCH Act, which would support research and training

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of Senate colleagues in introducing the AG RESEARCH Act to address the multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog and modernization needs at various agricultural research facilities, including the University of Maine, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities. The backlog is estimated

to be at least $11.5 billion for universities, and $1 billion for ARS facilities. The AuGmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG RESEARCH) Act would create competitive grants to be administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to fund renovations at schools of agriculture and direct funds to the modernization of ARS facilities.

“Agricultural research has been essential to the success of Maine’s hardworking farmers and their ability to continue producing high-quality and delicious products right here in our state,” said Senator King. “Unfortunately, too many schools of agriculture both in-state and across the country have been facing deferred maintenance issues that harm their ability to conduct critical 21st century research. As technology advances and opens up new agricultural opportunities, it’s important that our research centers stay up-to-date with the latest tools available. This bill will ensure that land-grant universities, like the University of Maine, can invest in their research facilities and give them added certainty and a smoother road ahead for their important work.”

"From our founding in 1865 as the state’s college of agriculture and mechanical arts, University of Maine research has enabled Maine’s farms and rural communities to grow and innovate for the future,” said University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, who also serves as the University of Maine System’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. “Many of the facilities that support this applied research and agriculture workforce development including our highly successful potato breeding program are a century old. We are grateful to Senator King and his colleagues in Congress for introducing the AG RESEARCH Act so that schools of agriculture like ours can finally make investments to improve these outdated facilities and the hands-on research learning opportunities for our students that positively impact Maine’s economic, environmental and public health.”

The AG RESEARCH Act would provide competitive grants to schools of agriculture for altering, modernizing, renovating, or remodeling research facilities and equipment. The USDA Secretary is directed to distribute the grants equitably based on geography, diversity, and size of institutions. The bill would also allow the use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds for continued maintenance of ARS research facilities, with priority given to the most critical projects as indicated in the ARS Capital Investment Strategy.

An initial report in 2015 estimated the deferred maintenance backlog at schools of agriculture to be $8.4 billion, with a total replacement cost of $29 billion. The report warned that without significant federal investment, the need would continue to grow. An updated report published earlier this year focused on the need for America to “catch up and keep up”, with the need now totaling at least $11.5 billion, with a total replacement cost of $38.1 billion.