October 13, 2009

Illinois Food and Ag Research Rank Drops Further
Lowest ranking in 13 years

URBANA--New data released this month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates Illinois now ranks 25th in the nation for its state investment in food and agricultural research; down for the fifth consecutive year. Among the ten Midwestern states, Illinois ranks last. Seven Midwestern states are among the top 15 in the nation.  Illinois’ investment is $22 million less than Minnesota, which ranks highest in the Midwest, and $20 million less than Indiana.

The USDA annually compiles this ranking information. The ranking is uniformly based on food and agricultural research expenditures from state-appropriated funds at agricultural experiment stations. Illinois’ rank is based on two sources of state appropriated funds: the appropriation administered via the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) and other general revenue funds.

In 1995, the year prior to the first C-FAR appropriation, Illinois ranked 26th in the nation. Illinois’ rank improved to 15th when the C-FAR appropriation was at its high of $15 million in 2000. Absent this appropriation, Illinois would have ranked 28th.  Illinois’ rank, per USDA data, has moved in direct proportion to the C-FAR appropriation level. With subsequent decreases in the C-FAR appropriation, Illinois’ rank has continued to drop to the current 25th position.   

Over the past several years, nearly all Midwestern states have increased their food and agricultural research investments. Since 2003, seven Midwestern states have increased their expenditures in food and agricultural research as follows: Missouri: +66%, Indiana: +51%, Nebraska: +26%, Minnesota: +21%, Kansas: +18%, Wisconsin: +12%, and Michigan: +2%. During this time, Illinois’ food and agricultural research expenditures have decreased 18%.

Note: C-FAR’s appropriation decreased 36% from 2003 to 2008. Expenditures reflected in USDA reports lag appropriation changes. 

An October 2009 report by the National Science Foundation reveals that state and local government funding of research and development grew in FY08 by 8.8 percent. This reported increase in state funding parallels USDA reporting. In fact, recently released 2008 USDA data indicates 40 states increased their investments in food and agricultural research that year even as most states and the nation faced significant economic challenges. 

“Food and agricultural research funding data is highly relevant as it directly relates to a state’s capacity to address short- and long-term industry challenges and opportunities. Illinois is unfortunately losing this capacity. This is a great concern that deserves the greatest consideration by our public and private sectors,” says Jerry Hicks, C-FAR Chairman of the Board.

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