Bill Would Create New USDA Agency Focused on Supporting Innovation

Legislation introduced Monday would create a new research agency in the USDA.  Introduced by Senator Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, and Representative Cindy Axne, an Iowa Democrat, the legislation would create the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Terra [Latin for land] to invest in innovative technologies that increase economic opportunity for farmers.

ARPA–Terra would provide competitive funding to land-grant universities for early stage research on technologies that industry might not undertake due to the long-term and high-risk technological barriers that exist.  The agency will enable the U.S. to develop technologies – and put them in the hands of farmers to enhance export competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and crop resilience to extreme weather.

Axne said the bill “will help our researchers continue to lead the way in Agriculture science and development.” Bennet added the legislation will “strengthen American global leadership in agricultural research and development.”

The lawmakers point out that the legislation is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

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