The House of Representatives has voted to restore federal formula-funding for state land grant university agricultural and forestry research.

In February the proposed budget from the President’s Office of Management and Budget slashed formula-based funding for agricultural and forestry research by 50 percent in the fiscal year that begins in October and eliminated them altogether in October 2006. Critical programs at land grant institutions across the nation were at risk. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station stood to lose some 20 percent of its funding – about $5 million and 125 faculty and staff positions.

UT's interim Vice President for Agriculture Buddy Mitchell credits the restoration to a nationwide show of support for the value of agricultural research at land grant universities. In particular, he is pleased with the support that has been shown for UT programs.

“The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and numerous other groups and individual producers and landowners across the state actively supported the need for our research programs,” Mitchell said. “Their voices were heard in Washington.”

Congressman John Duncan supported the restoration of funds by arranging a letter of support signed jointly by all members of the Tennessee House congressional delegation and sent to the Appropriations Committee.

In addition to restoring the formula-based funds, the committee voted to increase funding for certain nationally and regionally important projects. UT’s Forest Products Center stands to receive $450,000 in fiscal year 2006 as part of a nationwide wood utilization effort. The Appalachian Horticulture Initiative, a USDA Agricultural Research Service project conducted by UT in cooperation with Tennessee State University, was supported with an increase of $100,000 bringing total FY 06 funding to $1.85 million. Project scientists research disease-resistant dogwoods and other woody ornamentals significant to national and worldwide markets.

Support for the West Tennessee Mississippi River Cropping Systems project, which includes funding for UT research on soybean disease, was maintained at $705,000 for FY 06.

Mitchell said Congressman Zach Wamp, a member of the Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in securing funding for these projects.

Mitchell is pleased by the show of support from the House. “The administration's proposal to cut funds for agriculture and forestry research would have eliminated many important programs that serve Tennessee agriculture and consumers, including some that improve food safety and health for consumers, improve environmental stewardship, and strengthen agricultural businesses throughout the state," he said. “The UT Institute of Agriculture and Tennessee agricultural community are very grateful to the House Delegation for its strong support of our research programs.”

The Senate committee will vote on its proposed appropriations later this year.