ASA, CSSA, and SSSA advocate for federal research programs

February is usually the unofficial start of the annual federal budget process, and ASA, CSSA, and SSSA have leading efforts to support increased funding for research programs across the federal government. The Societies organized a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Leaders urging them to increase the funding allocation for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Agriculture-FDA bill to allow for greater opportunities to support valuable programs in the bill like research programs at the USDA. All three Societies also signed on to community support letters requesting increased funding for USDA research programs, including the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the advanced research pilot program, AGARDA. 

At the annual Congressional Visits Day advocacy event last month, 50 Society members and CCAs met with members of Congress to advocate for USDA research programs, meeting with 90 different offices. The Societies also supported the House Ag Research Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), in circulating a Dear Colleague letter in support of USDA research programs. The letter garnered 67 bipartisan signatures. 

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA also signed on to support letters for FY27 funding for the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy–Office of Science.

The House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will spend the next several weeks introducing and voting on funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year. As the process progresses, the Societies will continue to advocate for research funding. Return here for more updates on the annual funding process.