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September 9, 2003
C-FAR Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
SPRINGFIELD-Members of the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural
Research (C-FAR) recently celebrated the organization's 10th anniversary
at their semi-annual meeting in Springfield. Founded in December 1993,
C-FAR has brought together a broad-based coalition of industry stakeholders
that partner with state officials and researchers throughout Illinois
to strengthen the state's food, agricultural, and related industry. The
unique relationship among State of Illinois officials, state researchers,
and stakeholders throughout Illinois via C-FAR has made the organization
a national model for a premier public-private partnership.
At a special 10th anniversary celebratory luncheon, C-FAR board member
and research chair Larry Fischer said, "There are few precious moments
in the course of human history when one has the opportunity to witness
the birth of a powerful vision with the potential of creating a firestorm
of positive change. The C-FAR concept was simple and direct - to increase
the public investment in food and agricultural research with increased
accountability by soliciting more citizen input to identify needed research,
and for the research to be conducted in a true collaborative effort between
researchers."
Over the past ten years, C-FAR has grown to include 69 organizational
members, 38 affiliate members, and over 100 individual members. Representatives
from a wide range of industry sectors jointly volunteer thousands of hours
each year identifying the highest-priority research needs of the state
to see that the C-FAR investment achieves maximum benefit for Illinois
and its citizens. "There is no doubt that C-FAR's strength lies in
its grassroots membership," said C-FAR Chairman Alan Puzey. "It
is the C-FAR membership which has enabled us to speak as one voice for
food and agricultural research."
In the Food and Agriculture Research Act, C-FAR is uniquely named as
the entity entrusted to guide the appropriation to address the greatest
needs and opportunities of Illinois' top industry. The legislation also
asserts that "Illinois should be among the top 10 agricultural states
in state funding" for food, agricultural and related research, since
it consistently ranks in the top 5 states in gross agricultural production
and processing. In fiscal year 1995, prior to the first C-FAR appropriation,
Illinois ranked 26th. Based on the most recent data available, for fiscal
year 2002 when the C-FAR appropriation was $15 million, Illinois has climbed
in its ranking to 15th in the nation. However, recent reductions in the
C-FAR appropriation will likely have a negative impact on this ranking.
As is evident by the continued growth of the C-FAR coalition, industry
stakeholders recognize the importance of the C-FAR appropriation and the
need for sound research programs to keep Illinois competitive in the global
marketplace. "The C-FAR cause is as basic and important as agriculture
itself," said Steve Calhoun, Illinois Seed Trade Association, Inc.
"The people of Illinois have a right to expect the best food and
fiber research in the world."
C-FAR research initiatives are made possible through funding from
the State of Illinois, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor.
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