Sustainable Agriculture and the National Research Initiative

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Abstract
In the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act (FACTA) of 1990 (the 1990 Farm Bill), Congress authorized expansion of funding and scope for competitively awarded federal money for agricultural research. Enabling legislation for the new National Research Initiative (NRI) stipulated that an emphasis be placed on research supporting sustainable agriculture where appropriate, and that at least 30% of the funds be allocated to multidisciplinary research by 1993 with at least 20% of funds earmarked for mission-linked efforts. Challenges facing the NRI, in terms of agricultural sustainability, include: (i) how to incorporate appropriate stakeholder involvement, (ii) lack of consensus on how to operationalize the accepted definitions of “sustainable agriculture” and “mission-linked systems research,” (iii) the need to assess social/economic impacts, (iv) perceived lack of opportunity for broadly multi- or interdisciplinary research, and (v) the dearth of proposals addressing issues of agricultural sustainability. If Congressional intent is to be met with the NRI, these issues must be addressed. Plant and soil scientists have a significant role to play in assisting the NRI to become more focused on promoting sustainable agriculture. Problem Statement In the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA, the 1990 Farm Bill), Congress authorized expansion of funding and scope for competitively awarded federal money for agricultural research. Enabling legislation for this new National Research Initiative (NRI) stipulated that an emphasis be placed on research supporting sustainable agriculture, with at least 30% of funds allocated to multidisciplinary research and at least 20% of funds earmarked for mission-linked efforts. Serious questions have been raised about whether the NRI, as it is currently organized, can fulfill Congressional intent of providing funding for sustainable agriculture research. The purposes of this communication are to provide a brief history of the USDA competitive grants program and the NRI; review the legislation that authorized and appropriated funding for the NRI; explain the organizational structure of the NRI; and elucidate the problems, issues, and possible solutions in the debate over NRI funding for sustainable agriculture research. Background and History of NRI The USDA competitive grants program for agricultural research was initiated in 1978. Between 1978 and 1990, funding increased from $15 to 17 million per year to $40 to 46 million per year. Most of the grants funded under this program were for basic or fundamental, single discipline research relevant to agriculture. When Congress passed and the president signed FACTA, funding authorization for competitively awarded agricultural research increased by $500 million/year under the new NRI program. Wording to establish the NRI included a requirement that funded research address sustainable agriculture where appropriate. Through the appropriations process, the NRI has been funded at increasing levels since 1991, with the FY93 appropriation at $97.5 million. Key Questions/Issues Among those who have questions on whether the intent of Congress (i.e., to have the NRI address issues of agricultural sustainability) is being adequately addressed by the current program, specific concerns that have been cited include: Are significant benefits from NRI-funded research accruing to farmers and others who should be beneficiaries of this publicly-funded research? Are NRI funds supporting sustainable agriculture research? Is there sufficient involvement in program planning and in review/evaluation of proposals by nonscientist stakeholders? What is mission-linked systems research and how should it be judged? Is it important to assess the potential social and economic impact of research? Is sustainable agriculture research limited by the number and quality of submitted proposals? Response to Concerns If the preceding concerns are addressed and questions resolved, then it may be possible to answer those who believe that the intent of addressing sustainable agriculture through the NRI is not being met. The following list comprises an approach to clarifying and resolving issues that might now limit the capacity of the NRI to fund research that addresses agricultural sustainability: Continue and expand present efforts to solicit input from additional user groups. Adjust wording of the request for proposals to more clearly state that proposals that focus on sustainable agriculture research are welcome. Encourage and educate researchers in ways that increase the number of fundable proposals in sustainable agriculture. Broaden the expertise on review panels and among ad hoc reviewers. Consider different methods for evaluating mission-linked and multi-disciplinary proposals. Ensure that the appropriations process strengthens the initial Congressional intent of FACTA. There are opportunities for agricultural scientists to have an impact on how future NRI funds are allocated, It is hoped that this communication provides positive suggestions for applied agricultural scientists who wish to help influence the evolution of the NRI.

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