03/01/05 Federal funds and the fruit industry, Pt2

The impacts of proposed reductions in federal formula funds for ag research at land grants schools don't just include potential loss of personnel or reduction or elimination of research programs, such as those at tree fruit research stations operated by Oregon State University and Washington State University. According to O.S.U. Dean of Agricultural Sciences Thayne Dutson the cutting of formula funds as requested under the Bush Administration's fiscal year 2006 budget would start a domino effect on additional funding resources. Take for example, the availability of state funds for ag research. DUTSON: The state funds are matched with federal funds in order to create this partnership. Less federal funds for research means less state funds as well. And in many states that pool of money is already shrinking due to growing budget constraints. DUTSON: We here in Oregon are actually having a proposed decrease in our state funds, as a result of our Governor's budget. So that even compounds the effect of the national program being cut back at this time. Duston says one should keep in mind that the decreases in personnel due to reduced formula funds would most likely mean less scientists and researchers to obtain grant monies and awards to fund existing and future research projects. Details on that potential funding loss are discussed in our next program.