WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu announced that the federal government has funded nearly $9 million in research projects that he sponsored to support some of Oregon’s diverse agricultural industries, including those producing timber, small fruits and berries, and grass seed.

“During this economic downturn, it is especially important that we continue our federal investment in the vital agricultural segment of our economy and help support our nation’s food system,” said Congressman Wu.  “The research we fund today will help farmers across Oregon produce better crops and maintain market competitiveness.”   

The following projects were included in the agriculture appropriations bill.  The House of Representatives today passed a final version of the legislation that represents House-Senate agreement on the projects to be funded.  The Senate is expected to pass the final version of the legislation and send it to President Barack Obama to sign into law shortly.

$4,841,000 for Wood Product Industry Research at Oregon State University
Supports a multistate research and outreach program, which in Oregon is focused on local problems and opportunities in the wood product industry.  Oregon is one of the world centers of forestry and wood product manufacturing.  Funds will enhance domestic and global competitiveness, foster sustainable and environmentally acceptable product manufacturing and forest operations, and lead to greater and more efficient use of renewable wood-based materials.

$1,436,000 for Potato Industry Research at Oregon State University
Supports a multi-state project that works to develop and commercialize new potato varieties to improve qualities such as yield, processing quality, and human nutritional value.  Additional environmental benefits are derived from the reduced use of pesticides, water, and fertilizers, which are normal by-products of improved varieties.

$444,000 for Agricultural Research to Improve Water Quality at Oregon State University  
Supports an innovative interdisciplinary research/education program focusing on developing profitable cropping systems technologies for controlling cropland soil erosion and protecting environmental quality.  Funds will support the establishment of a network of agricultural research sites from which to address long-term agricultural, environmental, and agroecosystem problems.  

$180,000 for Oil-Producing Plant Research at Oregon State University
Supports research to increase the availability renewable industrial oils for United States manufacturers through the use of the crop plant meadowfoam.  Funds would support research on breeding and management practices for this new crop and investigation into the potential uses of meadowfoam meal, a by-product of oil extraction.  Meadowfoam oil is already used by manufacturers of personal care products and has many other possible applications; meadowfoam meal has the potential to be used for applications such as biological pesticides for organic crops.

$313,000 for Grass Seed Cropping Industry Sustainability at Oregon State University
Supports efforts to maintain a sustainable grass seed production industry in the face of critical environmental and economic challenges.  Over 90 percent of the United States’ cool-season forage and turfgrass seed is produced in the Pacific Northwest, but the industry has recently faced the need to alter production techniques, protect genetic diversity, and better use post-seed harvest residues.  Research is needed to overcome these and other challenges to ensure that the industry remains sustainable

$149,000 for Organic Cropping Research at Oregon State University
Supports research into problems facing organic crops, in order to enhance Oregon agriculture’s marketplace competitiveness.  Due to Oregon’s strong agricultural infrastructure and unique climate, it is uniquely positioned to continue to grow dramatically in its market share of organic crops.  Funds would be used to perform research that would increase the vitality and sustainability of both urban and rural organic farms and communities.  

$307,000 for Small Fruit Industry Research at Oregon State University
Supports highly integrated research conducted by faculty at land grant universities, scientists at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and industry counterparts in the three Pacific Northwest states to respond to current challenges within the small fruits industries, which makes up a large component of agricultural product sales in the Pacific Northwest.  Funds will be used by the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research, which provides competitive grants to enhance profitability and sustainability for a number of high-value specialty crops that yield fresh and processed berries and grapes, including wine.

$275,000 for Small Fruit Plant Improvement Research at the Northwest Center for Small Fruits
Supports research to improve the sustainability and profitability of small fruits agriculture.  Small fruits are a significant industry in the Pacific Northwest; berry and grape crop production value in this region alone exceeds $450 million.  Funds would be used for a small fruit pathology program that addresses crop susceptibility to pre- and post-harvest infection by fungal and bacterial diseases; a feasibility study and initial design to either upgrade or expand the existing research facilities or to build a new facility; and a competitive grants program that funds peer-reviewed research projects.

$253,000 for Molluscan Shellfish Industry Research at Oregon State University
Supports efforts to improve and increase the production of Pacific oysters at shellfish farms, which provide over 3,000 jobs in rural coastal communities.  For the past three years, seawater quality has severely hurt hatchery production of the seed oysters upon which oyster farms depend, resulting in hatchery employee layoffs.  Funds would meet current hatchery needs so that they can restore seed production and will also support breeding programs that improve yields and other desirable oyster qualities.

$471,000 for Enhanced Barley Research at Oregon State University
Supports a coordinated research plan that will apply genomics tools to four research areas that have the greatest potential to increase barley production, averting a crisis in an industry that is essential to Oregon’s malting and brewing industries.  This applied molecular plant breeding and variety development will allow scientists to enhance barley’s innate tolerance in order to maximize productivity, quality, and economic returns.  

$244,000 for Value-Added Agricultural Product Research at Oregon State University
Supports studies that will improve the ability of new and existing food producers and processors to satisfy consumer and market demand for specialty crops and to achieve success through business and marketing strategies suitable to the small- and medium-size firms of the Pacific Northwest.  This project would enhance competitiveness and expand the economic value-added component in Oregon agricultural products through research and outreach in food processing, product development, business strategy, marketing, and consumer testing.