WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) joined members of the House Subcommitee on Agriculture Appropriations in approving language for the FY 2005 agriculture spending bill.  The $16.8 billion legislation primarily funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the programs it administers.

 

Emerson, a member of the subcommittee stated, “We need to make sure funding is in place to support the farmers and ranchers who live and work in rural America.  This bill is an excellent start, and it identifies some of the agricultural priorities of Southern Missouri’s economy.  I am hopeful that, as work continues on this legislation, we can highlight the importance of agriculture to our rural economy and way of life.

 

“In Southern Missouri, we have a long tradition of getting the most agricultural value from our arable lands and even those which are not so fertile.  As fortunate as we are, however, we do not take our good fortune for granted.  I am proud to support the continuing commitment of Southern Missouri to research in agriculture,” Emerson said.  “This bill is Congress’ way of recognizing the vast resources Southern Missouri has to offer, and extending the fruits of our labors to the entire nation.”

 

The appropriations bill contains funding for a number of projects related to Missouri agriculture, including funds for three research projects at the Delta Center in Portageville: $800,000 for Soybean Cyst Nematode research, $250,000 for Rice Agronomy, and an estimated $672,000 for Mid-West/Mid-South Irrigation research, all of which are increases over FY 2004 funding levels.