Projects
Agricultural Research and Productivity for the Future
The role of research in supporting and maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in a global economy was the focus of a workshop April 28, 2009 at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The workshop, Agricultural Research and Productivity for the Future, was a collaboration of Farm Foundation and the National Agriculture Research Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board. Speaker presentations are posted below. A Farm Foundation Issue Report summarizes the conference discussions.
Workshop participants examined the relationships between public- and private-sector research and agricultural productivity growth, both in the United States and worldwide. Participants identified specific challenges for agricultural research and the implications for research funding strategies in the United States.
Historically U.S. agriculture’s competitiveness in global markets has been driven by a combination of public- and private-sector investments in research, education and technology transfer. In recent years, the growth in U.S. agricultural productivity may have slowed. While funding for agricultural productivity-enhancing research in the United States has slowed and in some cases declined, other nations, such as Brazil, have increased their investments in agricultural research.
The April 28 workshop opened with discussion of economic returns to public agriculture research, productivity trends and prospects for future returns to agricultural research. Also addressed were such challenges to agriculture as climate change, food safety in a global economy, and livestock production issues. The second half of the workshop focused on options and strategies for public- and private-sector funding.
Conference program and presentations
Welcome
Neil Conklin, Farm Foundation
Walter Armbruster, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education & Economics Advisory Board
Agricultural Research and Adoption: Impacts on Productivity
Economic Returns to U.S. and Global Public Agricultural Research
Keith Fuglie, Economic Research Service, USDA
Putting U.S. Agricultural R&D and Productivity Developments in Perspective
Philip Pardey, University of Minnesota
Future Challenges Facing U.S. Agriculture and Implications for Research
Climate Change and Agriculture’s Needs for Adaptation and Mitigation
Margaret Walsh, Global Change Program Office, USDA
Food Safety in a Global Economy
Liz Wagstrom, National Pork Board (presented by Jennifer Greiner)
Livestock Production Issues
Jeffrey D. Armstrong, Michigan State University
Research Needs & Opportunities in Agriculture
Kitty Smith, USDA Acting Administrator, Research, Extension and Education
New Public- and Private-Sector Funding Options
Multi-State University Collaboration Opportunities
Robert Steele, Pennsylvania State University
Lessons from Outside Agriculture
Barbara Mittleman, National Institutes of Health
University/Industry Partnerships
Anthony Boccanfuso, National Academy of Sciences
Agricultural Research Service/University/Industry Partnerships
Edward Knipling, Agricultural Research Service,USDA
Discussion Groups: Strategies for
Moving Forward
Commodities, including Energy Crops
Chair: Bob Dickey, National Corn Growers Association
Rapporteur: Fritz Behr, Wyffels Hybrids
Livestock Challenges and Opportunities
Chair: Jennifer Greiner, National Pork Producers Council
Rapporteur: Gregg Doud, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Specialty Crops, including Green Industry and Niche Markets
Chair: John Keeling, National Potato Council
Rapporteur: Robert Guenther, United Fresh Produce Association
Engaging the Agricultural Community in Funding Future Research
Working Together at the National Level
Joe Layton, National Council on Food and Agricultural Research
Raising Research on the Organization’s Policy Agenda
Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation
Strategies for Universities
Ian Maw, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
Closing Comments and Next Steps
Martin Massengale, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education & Economics Advisory Board
Neil Conklin, Farm Foundation
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