03/03/05 Federal funds and the fruit industry, Pt4

Part of the concern held by Deans of Colleges of Agriculture with proposed federal funding formulas for ag research for land grant schools is how it will affect extension programs. Now understand funding formulas for ag research and extension are different. In fact, the Bush Administration's proposed 2006 fiscal year budget plans no decreases in extension formula funds. But Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Thayne Dutson says because tree fruit research staff many times also work through extension programs, the decrease in formula funds in research will mean less money for staff and programs. Or put another way, it could mean redefining the roles of staff who currently work a majority of their position in research, and it could reduce the amount of research and time needed to develop solutions to field issues in the tree fruit industry. DUTSON: Extension is a major connection between that research and the implementation of that research into people's operations where that economic activity can be generated. And in Dutson's opinion, in the fruit industry, that means less field testing and research to produce results that can be available to growers to make informed decisions affecting their fiscal bottom lines.