ARS | Publication request: Sources of Federal Funding for Potato Research

Submitted to: Potato Grower
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2006
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Starting in the mid-eighties, pressure for Federal Funding of potato research resulted in special appropriations available nationwide from two sources. The Cooperative State Resesarch Education and Extension System (CSREES) is a branch of the USDA that funds Land Grant State Universities to do research. The Potato Grant has been appropriated for about twenty years and is targeted to aiding State Potato Breeding Programs to be more efficient. This $1.4 M grant is now divided up among four regional associations, including the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the North Central and the Northeast grants. In addition Washington, Idaho, and Oregon each receive equal extramural grants through USDA/ARS administered out of Prosser, WA. CSREES grants have been distributed on a competitive basis for about six years. A substantial percentage of the breeding efforts in the Northwest are paid for by these funds. Federal funding through USDA - Agricultural Research Service also supports long term research projects on: potato production, variety improvement, pests and disease management areas.