January 3, 2008

C-FAR Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary

URBANA--The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) represents a broad-based and diverse partnership of State of Illinois officials, industry representatives, and Illinois' research community working together to strengthen the state's number one industry. Founded in 1993, C-FAR celebrates this partnership with its 15th anniversary during 2008. "We are honored to commemorate C-FAR's 15th anniversary with each of our partners who have remained steadfast in their dedication to C-FAR and its mission," said Alan Puzey, C-FAR chairman. "This anniversary affords the distinct opportunity for all of our partners to reflect on the profound impact our cumulative efforts have had on research that is meaningful and important to Illinois."

As C-FAR marks its 15th anniversary, it salutes its many partners and members - the State of Illinois; some 60 statewide food and agricultural professional organizations; 40 state, university and other research-related entities; and a myriad of individuals who personally pledge their support. C-FAR members annually volunteer thousands of hours identifying the highest-priority research needs of the state. "C-FAR, and Illinois, is very fortunate to have such a dedicated cadre of professionals engaged in our state's publicly-funded research programs," shares C-FAR Membership Chair Jim Charlesworth. "The result has undeniably elevated Illinois' food and agricultural sectors and we proudly celebrate our 15th anniversary with deep appreciation to everyone engaged in our high public calling."

C-FAR-funded research addresses a broad range of needs and opportunities of importance to Illinois. Research priorities include enhancing food safety and human nutrition; developing renewable bioenergy sources; improving crop and livestock production; expanding markets through new and value-added projects and services; strengthening human and economic bases of rural and urban communities; protecting Illinois' air, water, and soil resources; and more. The unique C-FAR platform of State of Illinois officials, state researchers, and stakeholders throughout Illinois has made the organization a national model for its successful public-private partnership.

Dr. Donald Holt, former director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station and nationally respected public research leaders, says "In over 45 years at two major research institutions, I never saw a program have such a transforming, positive effect on research productivity, program relevance, stakeholder participation, and practical agricultural technology that C-FAR has had. The C-FAR legislation triggered the most important change in the institutional structure of Illinois agriculture since the federal Hatch Act of 1887, which created the state agricultural experiment stations."

For more information about C-FAR and its research programs, visit www.ilcfar.org.

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