Food and Agricultural Research Investment
Concerns
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were growing
and widespread concerns that the State of Illinois was not adequately
investing in food
and agricultural research; there was no coordination of the research
being conducted at Illinois’ public universities and related entities;
there was no vehicle for stakeholders to meaningfully engage in helping
guide the
type of research needed for Illinois; and elected officials were hearing
from every food and agricultural interest individually, resulting in
a confusing and disjointed process.
The Creation of C-FAR
Professionals associated with Illinois’ food, agricultural
and related sectors, in cooperation with state officials
and the state’s research community, set out to create
an association to address the above concerns. After numerous
planning meetings, C-FAR was created and registered as an
Illinois not-for-profit corporation in December 1993. Today,
C-FAR’s membership includes about 60 stakeholder-based
associations, 40 public entities such as university departments
and state agencies, and a host of individuals who support
a viable publicly funded research program for Illinois’
food and agricultural systems.
Food and Agriculture Research Act
Upon the creation of C-FAR, state legislation
was necessary for enhanced appropriations to be directed toward
food and agricultural research
and for utilization protocols to be set regarding these appropriations.
The Food
and Agriculture Research Act, enacted into law in July 1995,
is in
effect today (www.ilcfar.org/organ/foodact.html).
C-FAR Appropriations
The initial C-FAR appropriation was $3 million in FY96.
The direction for future appropriations was to increase
subsequent year appropriations to satisfy one of the intents
of the Food and Agriculture Research Act as follows: “Illinois
should be among the top 10 agricultural states in State
funding for its agricultural experiment station, and that
other agricultural institutions in the State should be funded
proportionately.” The C-FAR appropriation was $15
million in fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The appropriation
was reduced in the following fiscal years due to state budget
constraints to its current FY08 level of $4.5 million.
State Ranking
The Food and Agriculture Research Act states five intents,
one of which is cited above regarding being in the top 10
agricultural states for the State investment in food and
agricultural research. The year prior to the first C-FAR
appropriation, Illinois ranked 26th in the nation. The ranking
information is compiled by the USDA and is based on agricultural
experiment station expenditures, which track appropriations
over time. Illinois’ rank reached a high of 15th in
FY00. The most recent data available is from FY06, and places
Illinois 22nd.
Volunteer Benefit: An Illinois Food and Agricultural System Advantage
Professionals
in Illinois’ food and agricultural system have a steeped
tradition of volunteering for the public good. The State of
Illinois investments in food and agricultural research via C-FAR is a direct
beneficiary of this
volunteerism. C-FAR members, representing virtually every sector
of the Illinois’ food
and agricultural system, jointly volunteer thousands of hours
every year to ensuring the state’s appropriation is soundly invested.
Their firsthand perspectives are invaluable and of tremendous benefit to
Illinois. Members
provide their input through C-FAR working groups focused around
five research areas: expanding agricultural markets, rural economic development,
agricultural
production systems, human nutrition and food safety, and natural
resources.
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