I llinois traditionally ranks fourth or fifth in gross agricultural production in the nation, yet lags behind other states in state funding to food and agricultural research. A $15 million increase in state funds, phased in over a few years, could place Illinois among the top 10 states in state government funding of food and agricultural research.
C-FAR was formed in late 1994 out of concern that Illinois ranked 29th in state support for food and agricultural research compared to other states. The Illinois Legislature responded with the 1995 Food and Agriculture Act.
The legislation is aimed at increasing public funding for food, agricultural and environmental research among the state's four universities that conduct research in these areas. The act also requires the universities to fund a competitive grants program open to researchers outside the institutions. To ensure relevant research, the universities must work closely with C-FAR to gather public input and identify research priorities.
Last May, C-FAR recognized Sen. John Maitland, Jr., R-Bloomington, and Rep. Duane N. Noland, R-Blue Mound, for their leadership in sponsoring and passing the legislation. The two were presented framed plaques that contained an official copy of the bill and the pens used by Gov. Jim Edgar to sign the legislation into law.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is supporting the C-FAR research prioritization process through several grants. The goals of C-FAR match what Kellogg wants to do. They are trying to get each state to look internally at setting research priorities and working with stakeholder groups.
Sarahelen "Sally" Thompson,
Agricultural Economist,
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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